The Java ME Universe Today

The current universe of configurations, profiles and optional packages is shown in the diagram below. The tables immediately following provide more details about the abbreviations in the figure

A profile builds on a configuration but adds more specific APIs to make a complete environment for building applications. While a configuration describes a JVM¹ and a basic set of APIs, it does not by itself specify enough detail to enable you to build complete applications. Profiles usually include APIs for application life cycle, user interface, and persistent storage.

An optional package provides functionality that may not be associated with a specific configuration or profile. One example of an optional package is the Bluetooth API (JSR 82), which provides a standardized API for using Bluetooth networking. This optional package could be implemented alongside virtually any combination of configurations and profiles.