WML vs. XHTML

[Jelks Cabaniss]

Jeffrey E. Sussna wrote:

> >    <ACTION TYPE=ACCEPT TASK=GOSUB VARS=host=$(hostname)

> Any language that contains a construct called "GOSUB" deserves dustbin
> status. :-)

Indeed. Check out this little snip from Rohit Khare's "W* Effect Considered
Harmful":

	One way to think of WML is as programming 3270 screens
	with a very simple BASIC. An application is delivered to
	the handset as a 'deck', which allocates a corresponding
	pool of storage space for variables. Individual 'cards'
	are executed on entry and exit to render the handset
	screen: they can fill in (shared) variables, rerender on
	external event notifications (e.g. call completed), and
	bind further actions to a small set of buttons. The
	display calls themselves are essentially character-cell
	oriented, with tab alignment and bold, italic,
	underline, big, and small fonts. Tables, frames, colors,
	and so on are not supported. Semantic HTML markup like
	<ADDRESS> must be stripped out. Even simple declarative
	HTML doesn't mean what it used to -- <P> no longer
	begins a new line. 'Graphics' support is intended mainly
	for optional icons in place of text menus; no clickable
	menu maps or such.  WML is really a scripting language...

That's just the tip of the iceberg -- check out how they've "reinvented" TCP/IP:

	http://www.4k-associates.com/IEEE-L7-WAP-BIG.html


/Jelks


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