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Installing BlackBerry Java Applications using the BlackBerry Application Web Loader

You can configure the BlackBerry® Application Web Loader, which uses Microsoft® ActiveX®, to install a BlackBerry Java® Application on BlackBerry devices using a web server and Microsoft® Internet Explorer® on users’ computers. You can add the BlackBerry Application Web Loader to a web server (for example, on your organization’s intranet or a public web server), and instruct users to browse to the appropriate web address using Microsoft Internet Explorer. The BlackBerry Application Web Loader prompts users to install the BlackBerry Java Application, and installs the required .cod files for the application on BlackBerry devices. The users must connect their BlackBerry devices to their computers.

The BlackBerry Application Web Loader supports .cod files only. To install a MIDlet, convert the .jar file to a .cod file. For more information about how to compile .java and .jar file formats into the .cod file format, visit www.blackberry.com/developers to read the BlackBerry Java Development Environment Development Guide. For more information about the BlackBerry Application Web Loader and a sample development template, visit www.blackberry.com/go/docs to read the BlackBerry Application Web Loader Developer Guide.

This method has the following advantages:

  • You do not have to install the BlackBerry® Desktop Software on users’ computers.
  • The installation process is straightforward and requires Microsoft Internet Explorer, a common web browser.
  • Users are responsible for completing the installation.

This method has the following disadvantages:

  • You cannot control when the users install the BlackBerry Java Application.
  • Users must connect their BlackBerry devices to their computers.

Prerequisites: Installing BlackBerry Java Applications using the BlackBerry Application Web Loader

BlackBerry device

  • BlackBerry® APIs and Java® ME (standard on BlackBerry devices)

User’s computer

  • Windows® 2000 or later, Windows® XP, or Windows Vista®
  • Microsoft®Internet Explorer® version 5.0 or later
  • Microsoft® ActiveX® version 8.0 or later
  • BlackBerry Application Web Loader; if the BlackBerry Application Web Loader is not installed, the user is prompted to install it after the user browses to the specified web address
  • Research In Motion® USB drivers and a USB connection for the BlackBerry device

Web server

Configure the following MIME types on the web server to permit users to download and install BlackBerry Java Applications on BlackBerry devices:

  • .cod files: application/vnd.rim.cod
  • .jad files: text/vnd.sun.j2me.app-descriptor
  • scripting language: Use a scripting language that is supported by Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft ActiveX.
  • AxLoader.cab file: Copy the AxLoader.cab file to the folder that the web page .html files are located in (or update the <object> element URL information in the .html file to the new location).

BlackBerry Java Application

  • .jad files and .cod files: The .jad file is the application descriptor that provides information about the application and the location of .cod files. A .cod file contains compiled and packaged application code. The BlackBerry Application Web Loader requires these files to install the BlackBerry Java Application.
  • The maximum .jad file size is 4096 bytes.
  • The maximum number of .cod files supported by the BlackBerry Application Web Loader is 32.
  • MIDlet support: The BlackBerry Application Web Loader supports CLDC applications that reference the BlackBerry API or MIDlets that have been converted to the .cod file format.

Enable the BlackBerry Application Web Loader on a web server

Before you begin:
  • Obtain the .jad and .cod files for the BlackBerry® Java® Application from the application developer, vendor, or wireless service provider.
  • Visit www.blackberry.com/developers to download the latest version of the BlackBerry Application Web Loader (AxLoader.cab).
  1. Create a web page that you can use to install the BlackBerry Java Application on BlackBerry devices.
  2. Copy the AxLoader.cab file to the folder where the web page’s .html files are located.
  3. Copy the .jad and .cod files for the application on the web server that hosts the web page.
  4. Reference a specific version of the BlackBerry Application Web Loader.

    For more information about referencing a specific version of the BlackBerry Application Web Loader, visit www.blackberry.com/go/docs to read the BlackBerry Application Web Loader Developer Guide.

  5. Associate the BlackBerry Application Web Loader with the .jad file.
  6. To load the .jad file, invoke loadJad(). Use a string parameter that represents one of the following:
    • If the .jad file is in the same location as the AxLoader.cab file, use the .jad file name.
    • If the .jad file is in a different location than the AxLoader.cab file, use the relative location address of the .jad file.
  7. Send the web address to users.
The BlackBerry Application Web Loader requires the BlackBerry device password before it can install a BlackBerry Java Application. If a password is set, the AxLoaderPassword control is used to obtain the password. This control is included in the AxLoader.cab file. For more information about obtaining a BlackBerry device password, visit www.blackberry.com/go/docs to read the BlackBerry Application Web Loader Developer Guide.

Install the BlackBerry Java Application using the BlackBerry Application Web Loader

Send these instructions to users.
  1. Connect the BlackBerry® device to your computer.
  2. Using Microsoft® Internet Explorer® version 5.0 or later, browse to <web_address>.
  3. If the required version of the BlackBerry Application Web Loader is not installed on your computer, accept the installation prompt, and complete the instructions on the screen.
  4. Complete the instructions on the screen to install the BlackBerry Java Application.
Next topic: Installing BlackBerry Java Applications using the standalone application loader tool
Previous topic: Install the BlackBerry Java Application using the BlackBerry Desktop Software

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