Assembling the Tools

To build this application, you need to get a few components. Even if you don't have a WAP-enabled or WML-enabled phone, there are simulators available that will make your development job easier and let you keep your airtime bills to a minimum.

The first software package you need is the Microsoft Mobile Internet Toolkit, which is available from Microsoft as a free download. At the time of writing, the Toolkit was available at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=35406.

The second tool that you need is a WAP/WML emulator. The one that I used and was recommended in a number of discussion forums is the Openwave SDK, available from openwave.com at http://developer.openwave.com/download/license_50.html.

Be sure to reboot when the installation programs ask to do so. This will help ensure that the controls and libraries are installed properly.

This application also uses SQL Server as the back-end database, but you can use whatever database you want. You'll just need to make the appropriate database call changes when you start writing the code.