Why does Sun offer two different CLDC implementations?
The CLDC reference implementation (RI) provides a reference design that demonstrates how the CLDC specification can be implementated, and validates the Technology Compability Kit (TCK) that accompanies the specification. The CLDC RI provides a base which can be ported to different platforms by device manufacturers. It also provides a working environment which allows developers to test their CLDC-based applications against. The CLDC HotSpot Implementation is an optimized implementation from Sun which is focused on performance and footprint. Not only does it comply with the CLDC specification, but it also includes a number of patented features that propel faster application execution as well as more efficient resource management. It is also supported on a number of targeted platforms which allows manufacturers to significantly reduce time-to-market. For more information related to the CLDC HotSpot Implementation, please refer to the CLDC HotSpot Implementation White Paper.
