3 main types of java applications

There are 3 main types of java applications,

1. Desktop application
2. Web based application
3. Applets

Desktop applications

Desktop applications are standalone programs that are installed on local computer. These programs mostly use local available resources on a computer. Some of the desktop application programs also make use internet for networking.

Web based application

Web based applications are programs that are accessed over a network i.e. internet or intranet. These applications are present on a centralized web server. Web based applications are accessed through web browser. These applications are based on client-server architecture. Web based applications are easy to maintain as they are not installed on different computers so updating is easy.

Applets

Applets are programs that can be embedded in a web page just like a image. They are delivered to a user as java bytecode and are executed by the browser’s JVM. Applets were introduced in the first version of Java. Applets is one of the most popular technology in Java. Applets are embedded in web page using embed tag.

Difference between desktop application, web based application and applet,

Desktop Application	Web Based Application	Applet
Installed on local computer	Stored on web server	Stored on web server and expected on clients web browser’s JVM
Need your laptop or desktop to install	Can be accessed from anywhere on any desktop	Can be accessed from anywhere on any desktop
User have to updated the application	Updated by website owner	Updated by website owner
Platform dependent	Platform independent	Platform independent just require JVM
High Piracy risk	No piracy risk	Very low piracy risk