Terrence Barr's Blog

Databases for Java ME, part 2: Not just JavaDB but also Perst Lite

Updates 12/10/07:

• Bruno Ghisi just reminded me of Project Floggy, the Java ME persistence framework. This is another option for  object-oriented persistence on CLDC. Thanks, Bruno!
• Here is another database I was made aware of: J2MicroDB, an open source database from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Spain

In September I blogged about JavaDB/Derby for phoneME ("Need a database with your phone?"). There has been a lot of interest in this and people are using JavaDB/Derby in real-world deployments now with the phoneME Advanced (CDC) stack.

However, I overlooked another database option for Java ME platform: Perst Lite from McObject. I would like to make sure the Java ME developer community is aware of it because Perst Lite has a number of interesting properties:

• True object-oriented database
• Supports not only CDC but also CLDC
• Sources available under GPL

So if you are looking for an object-oriented database (as opposed to a relational database like JavaDB/Derby) or you need a database for the phoneME Feature (CLDC) stack then Perst Lite looks like a perfect match.

In fact, McObject and the Mobile & Embedded Community are planning to collaborate around this topic. You will hear more on this very shortly.

PS: No, I have no financial or other interest in Perst Lite or McObject ...

Cheers,

-- Terrence

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Comments

• Hi Terrence,
  Great post! Also, I would like to remember that there is an interesting project to people that need to persist in Java ME/MIDP using RMS. It is called Floggy and it is hosted here in M&E as a linked project. It facilitates the crud actions in a very high level way.
  Have a nice weekend!
  Bruno

  Posted by: brunogh on December 07, 2007 at 04:54 AM

• Bruno,

  Argh, forgot floggy. I've updated my post. Still haven't had time to look into it ... ;-( Have a nice weekend, too!

  Posted by: terrencebarr on December 07, 2007 at 05:27 AM

• What about JDBC Optional Package for CDC/Foundation Profile (JSR 169).
  Sun's Device Listdoes not show any available device. When we would be able to see those devices?

  Posted by: power_user on December 11, 2007 at 05:44 PM

• power_user,

  JSR 169 is simply the java.sql API. You sill need the API implementation (JDBC driver) and the actual database underneath. JavaDB/Derby offers both, so that is what you want. This package is not shown in the Sun Device List because it requires a CDC stack (most phones have CLDC) and because it is typically not re-installed by the device vendor.

  You can take phoneME Advanced, put it on a WIndows Mobile phone, and add Java DB on top for JDBC support. Works well.

  -- Terrence

  Posted by: terrencebarr on December 12, 2007 at 12:16 AM

• There're more options out there, like OpenBaseMovil, a relational database engine for Java ME (CLDC). It is Open Source under GPL license, and much more powerful than J2MEMicroDB.
  It is in fact more than a database engine, but a whole JavaME development framework with many other tools, like xml view definition, local connectivity to bar code readers, gps, printers, a scripting engine, and much more.
  Just search Google for "j2me database" :)

  Narciso Cerezo
  CTO Elondra
  Owner of OpenBaseMovil

  Posted by: ncerezo on May 24, 2008 at 08:06 AM

• Narciso,

  Thanks for mentioning OpenBaseMovil. Looks like a compelling framework for data-driven applications.

  -- Terrence

  Posted by: terrencebarr on May 30, 2008 at 06:29 AM

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