Dynamic Application Configuration using Mobile Java Objects in a Next Generation Internet Environment: End-User, Developer, and Service Provider Perspectives

Application users are becoming more mobile, expecting instant connectivity using a diverse range of heterogeneous devices. Despite the supposed ‘write once run anywhere’ promise of languages such as Java, developers must contend with a variety of API’s such as J2EE, J2SE and J2ME. Application and Internet service providers are faced with increasing costs as developers look to thin client solutions to avoid the complexities of client side development on multiple devices. This leaves client resources unused and servers overloaded. Serving two purposes, this paper first describes a set of laboratory tests demonstrating the effect on server load of distributing a typical business application in various client/server configurations. It then reviews existing work and proposes novel techniques for automating the dynamic distribution of application components using Java. Advantages of the proposed framework are described from the perspective of service providers, application developers and end users.