Java 2 Platform Micro Edition (J2ME)

Last Updated: May 1, 2013

Definition - What does Java 2 Platform Micro Edition (J2ME) mean?

The Java 2 Platform Micro Edition (J2ME) was a platform designed for embedded systems such as mobile phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), TV set-top boxes and printers. J2ME is the former name for Java ME, Java’s platform for mobile and embedded devices. J2ME stood for Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition, while the Java ME nomenclature, introduced in 2006, simply means Java Platform Micro Edition. This term is also known as the "Java Platform, Micro Edition" or Java ME.

Techopedia explains Java 2 Platform Micro Edition (J2ME)

J2ME came into existence sometime in 1999 as one of the specialized platforms under Java 2. Other platforms that came with it were J2EE for server applications and J2SE for regular applications. J2ME is composed of two subsets of Java class libraries known as configurations: Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC): This subset is specifically designed for resource-constrained devices. Such devices, including certain cell phones, typically have very little memory, processing power and graphics capabilities. It includes two profiles or APIs (application programming interfaces): the Mobile Information Device Profile and the Information Device Profile. Connected Device Configuration (CDC): This subset is designed for more capable devices such as smartphones, PDAs and set-top boxes. It also includes two profiles or APIs: The Foundation Profile and the Personal Basis Profile. A third set of APIs, called optional packages, may also be used when integrating specific technologies (such as Bluetooth, Mobile Media, and Web Services) into an application. To develop a Java ME application, the Java ME Software Development Kit (SDK) is required. The SDK contains all the tools for building, testing and deploying. For faster development, graphical Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) may be used.