Chapter Objectives
Common to most iTV standards is the inclusion of Java as part of the standard. Java is a general-purpose object-oriented programming language. It is especially suitable for iTV application as its executable code is mobile, enabling objects to behave predictably when executed within unknown yet compliant receiver environments. Content objects generated at production environments are compiled into class files and transported into an iTV receiver serving as the execution environment for those class files. JavaTV is an API that extends the general purpose Java platform with iTV specific functionality [JavaTV]. This chapter is not intended to serve as a Java tutorial, but rather as an overview of the issues relevant to transport and execution of iTV applications, including the format of class files, the JavaTV architecture and programming model. This chapter is focused on issues related to implementation of specifications and standards. |