1 Preparation

Several tools will prove invaluable when creating WML documents. The one required item is a text editor. The most basic of text editors, such as Notepad on the PC work better than word-processors when writing code, but always run the displayed text through a spell checker before publishing.

When saving the WML file on your hard disc the file is saved as a simple text file, but with .wml as the extention. For example mywappage.wml.

Free services

The good news for WAP developers is the amount of free tools available. At some point your site needs a host. The one I use is www.wapdrive.com. Go to wapdrive and register. This is a reliable and easy to use and FREE service without any advertising on your WAP site. They also have a free WML editor available for download called Waptor. Waptor is an excellent WML code creation and editing tool that will assist your learning process. I recommend you download it now, and use it as your text editor. You can then copy and paste the code onto the wapdrive server.

All WAP sites must be tested on a real WAP device before release on the unsuspecting public. During development emulators are invaluable. Emulators mimic WAP devices and can be used to view WAP sites on your PC. Try several, but my first recommendation is Wireless Companion from www.yourwap.com. Ensure you download the full list of devices. A word of caution concerning emulators. Emulators use HTML, the Web standard. HTML is very forgiving of mistakes whilst WML is not. On occasion an emulator will display WML code containing errors, but a real WAP browser will not.

Most sites have an image or two, if only just a logo. The WAP standard image is wbmp. You will need a WBMP converter/generator. Try WAP Pictus and Dissect Image both WBMP converters available free from www.tucows.com, and WAPdraw a Shareware WBMP generator available at www.wapholesun.com. (WAPdraw costs US $20 to regester)

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