Applet

An Applet is a computer program written in the Java programming language that can be embedded into a web page. The applets are executed within a Java virtual machine (JVM) which is hosted by the web browser. This allows applets to run within a web page and interactively respond with the user, as well as being able to access the internet and utilize internet resources. Applets are commonly used for tasks such as games, streaming audio/video, animation, and complex user interface elements.

Applets are created and compiled using the Java Development Kit (JDK) and consist of a combination of HTML, Javascript, and Java code. The applets are then packaged using the “jar” format and are uploaded to the webpage they will be displayed on. When users access the webpage the applet is downloaded and run within the user’s web browser.

Applets were initially developed by Sun Microsystems in 1995 and were popularly used in the late 90s and early 2000s. However, its popularity dwindled over time due to various security and privacy issues, as well as the introduction of alternative technologies such as HTML5, Flash, and Silverlight. In 2020, Applets are seldom used, though they are still supported by most web browsers.

Applets offer various benefits to developers, including the ability to include complex behavior such as animation, storage, audio/video files, and more into a web page. They also provide developers with flexibility when designing web pages, as they can be used to tailor page elements to meet specific user needs. Applets are an excellent tool for designers and developers who are looking to create engaging and interactive websites.