A markup language based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and is specifically designed for creating web pages to be accessed on mobile devices, such as cell phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). WML was primarily used in conjunction with WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) to deliver content and services to mobile devices over wireless networks.
Here are some key points about WML:
- Purpose: The primary purpose of WML was to enable the design of websites that are optimized for mobile devices, which often had smaller screens and less powerful processors compared to desktop computers. WML allowed content to be formatted and presented in a way that suited these limitations.
- Features: WML included features like navigation support, text formatting, image display, and forms for user input. It also supported variables and scripting (WMLScript) for more dynamic content and interactivity, though in a more limited capacity compared to JavaScript on the web.
- Structure: WML documents, known as deck of cards, are structured as a collection of cards. Each card represents a single user interaction or screen. This structure helps manage memory and display limitations by loading one card (screen) at a time.
- Decline: With the advancement of mobile devices and networks, as well as the introduction of more sophisticated web standards like HTML5 and CSS3, the use of WML has significantly declined. Modern smartphones and mobile browsers are equipped to handle standard web technologies, rendering WML largely obsolete.
- Legacy: Despite its decline, WML played a crucial role in the early development of mobile web browsing and laid the groundwork for the mobile web experiences we enjoy today. It was a stepping stone towards the more dynamic and interactive mobile web standards that have since taken its place.
WML was instrumental in the initial growth of the mobile internet by providing a means to deliver content effectively to the limited capabilities of early mobile devices.