Slide 7.a: Handheld computing

Slide 6.d: Using Perl to access a MySQL database
Slide 7.b: Handheld programming
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Handheld Computing

As handheld computing is a fairly new computing area, there is as yet no generally accepted formal definition. Nevertheless, the instructor defines it as follows:

Handheld computing is the use of handheld devices such as smart cellular phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) to perform wireless, mobile, handheld operations such as personal data management and making phone calls.

Handheld computing can take one of two forms: server- and client- side handheld computing, which are defined as follows:

Server-side handheld computing: Here, handheld devices are used to perform wireless, mobile, handheld operations that require the support of a server. Examples of such applications include: (a) instant messages, (b) mobile web content, (c) online video games, and (d) wireless telephony.

Client-side handheld computing: This refers to the use of handheld devices to perform handheld operations that do not need the support of a server. Examples of these applications include: (a) address books, (b) standalone video games, (c) note pads, and (d) to-do-lists.