Book excerpt: This textbook, now in its Second Edition, addresses the rapid advancements to the area of mobile computing. Almost every chapter has been revised to make the book up to date with the latest developments. It covers the main topics associated with mobile computing and wireless networking at a level that enables the students to develop a fundamental understanding of the technical issues involved in this new and fast emerging discipline. This book first examines the basics of wireless technologies and computer communications that form the essential infrastructure required for building knowledge in the area of mobile computations involving the study of invocation mechanisms at the client end, the underlying wireless communication, and the corresponding server-side technologies. It includes coverage of development of mobile cellular systems, protocol design for mobile networks, special issues involved in the mobility management of cellular system users, realization and applications of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), design and operation of sensor networks, special constraints and requirements of mobile operating systems, and development of mobile computing applications. Finally, an example application of the mobile computing infrastructure to M-commerce is described in the concluding chapter of the book. The book is suitable for a one-semester course in mobile computing for the undergraduate students of Computer Science and Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Master of Computer Applications (MCA), and the undergraduate and postgraduate science courses in computer science and Information Technology. Key Features • Provides unified coverage of mobile computing and communication aspects • Discusses the mobile application development, mobile operating systems and mobile databases as part of the material devoted to mobile computing • Incorporates a survey of mobile operating systems and the latest developments