a) what is cheapest model of Palm that can realistically 
run [small] java classes ? How much RAM is realistically
needed on palm to have functional jre ?
(NB: Browser is not needed, swing is not needed. jre with
basic gui support is enough).

b) What software is needed and what is [minimal] cost 
of software ? (if there are choices of software, please list
alternatives of freeware and of low-cost shareware).

c) These classes need to create, write and read named 
files of data [small size]. Is this possible on palm ? 

- researcher must have personal experience 
installing and running java on palm

- if you can answer (a) and (b) but not (c) this may 
be acceptable. Please ask for clarification.

- This java app needs to create, write and 
read small, named files of data. Is this possible on palm ?

- the java program in question is not demanding 
neigher on cpu nor on memory. It's very small, 
simple java program with one window, buttons
and input fields.

- browser is not necessary. and swing is not.
necessary. javac is not needed on palm either.
jre and basic gui support is is enough

- if you can answer (a) and (b) but not (c) this may 
be acceptable. Please ask for clarification.

The answer I have for A and B, is that I was once
able to run java classes on my Palm III a few years
ago.

I used the "KVM" from Sun microsystems to do this,
the K stands for Kilobytes If i remeber correctly.
However.. from looking at Sun's website, it looks
like those product for the palm pilot has "disappeared"
and has been replaced with some other implemenations.

Sun reccommends for the palm pilot that use MIDP (Mobile
Information Device), there is a FAQ
at:http://java.sun.com/products/midp4palm/faq.html
However, it says minimum requirements are PalmOS 3.5.

An alternative is "WabaVM" (www.wabasoft.com) which has
it's java virtual machine ported a number of platforms,
including the palm pilot;
http://www.angelfire.com/ms/amyhigh/pageWaba/pageWaba.html