Entry

Java: Applet: What are applets?

Sep 6th, 2003 19:01
Knud van Eeden,

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--- Knud van Eeden --- 07 September 2003 - 03:57 am ------------------

Java: Applet: What are applets?

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Applets are small Java programs that are usually downloaded from the
Internet or some other network.

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A Java applet is a class that does not have a main method.

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They can execute only within a Java-enabled browser (that is a browser
which contains a module which can interpret the Java byte code
correctly) such as Internet Explorer, Opera, Mozilla, Netscape
Navigator, ...

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They can also execute within appletviewer, which is part of the Java
Development Kit (JDK).

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Applets usually fulfill certain specific functions.

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Calculators, data entry forms, and navigational image maps have been
implemented as applets.

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Because applets are usually small, they can be downloaded quite 
quickly.

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Despite their size, applets can perform many useful roles with a 
minimum
of code.

This because they can take advantage of the features already
built into Web browsers.

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For instance, to display a graphical format such as a GIF file, the 
applet
uses functionality already built in to the browser.

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A Java applet is usually invoked from a Web page, by adding the
<APPLET> tag to that html page.

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