What is “applet”?

A J2EE component that typically executes in a Web browser but can execute in a variety of otherapplications or devices that support the applet programming model.

In Advanced Java, an “applet” refers to a small Java program that runs within a web browser. Applets were a significant part of early Java development, allowing developers to create interactive and dynamic content on web pages. However, applets have become less common in recent years due to security concerns and the evolution of web technologies.

Here are some key points about Java applets:

  1. Web-Based Execution: Applets are designed to be embedded within HTML pages and executed by a Java-compatible web browser. They run in a restricted environment called the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) within the browser.
  2. Interactivity: Applets were used to create interactive and dynamic content, such as animations, games, and simple applications, directly within a web page.
  3. Security Concerns: Due to security vulnerabilities and the risk of malicious activities, modern browsers have deprecated support for Java applets, and many security-conscious organizations discourage their use.
  4. Replacement Technologies: With the advancement of web technologies, alternatives like JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3 have become more popular for achieving similar interactive features without the security risks associated with Java applets.

In summary, while the concept of applets was once essential for creating interactive content on the web using Java, their use has declined, and other technologies have taken their place in modern web development.