3.5 Summary
The J2EE platform supports a range of client devices and client programming models. Supported devices include desktop systems, laptops, palmtops, cell phones, and various emerging non-traditional devices. The supported programming models include browser clients using HTML and JavaScript, browser plug-in clients such as Flash, office suite clients such as StarOffice, and programmable clients based on Java technologies.
Application developers should make an effort to provide users with the highest possible level of service and functionality supported by each client device. The primary consideration throughout the design of the client should be the network, since the client participates in a networked application. At the same time, there may be other important considerations, such as development and support capabilities, time to market, and other factors that affect the ultimate client solution chosen for a particular application.