This is the first installment of a comprehensive four-part introduction to Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) and the Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP). The series will consist of two tutorials and two companion articles. In this first tutorial, you will learn about the essential components of J2ME, with a primary focus on MIDP. The focus is on MIDP's high-level user interface, with a step-by-step introduction to the components that facilitate the main interaction between the user and the device display.