Java applet

A Java Applet is a java program that can be embedded in a html. An Applet is a “.class” that is precompiled. A applet is embedded in a html file using “applet” tag. Applets are the one of the main reason behind the success of java programming language.

A JVM must be installed on the client machine to run the applet. Also a java plug-in is required to be installed in the web browser. Now a day’s most browser support applets. Applets are designed to run on a client machine remotely. A applet can also run offline once downloaded.

Applets can run on any platform, it means they are platform independent. As applets are run remotely they have lot of restrictions. A applet is run in a sandbox environment in a browser. It means the applet cannot access the clients file system. Applet can have full access to the client machine if the user allows.

Applet can be run on all versions of java plug-in. Applets are used to make websites more dynamic and attractive. Applets support most of java controls like buttons, checkbox, text fields etc. Applets are widely used for creating interactive learning environment. Lot of games are also build using applets that also supports multiplayer gaming option.

Applets also support 3D graphics. It uses the system’s 3D hardware acceleration. It enables to develop applets with heavy graphics.

The main disadvantage of a java applet is it need the java plug-in installed in the browser. The mobile browsers are not capable to run applets. A applet code can also raise main security issues if its downloaded from a un-trusted source. A similar interface can be created in HTML very easily with less security issues and more compatibility.

Overall applet is one of the useful feature provided by java programming language to create dynamic and interactive websites.