An applet is a software component that runs in the context of another program, for example a web browser. An applet usually performs a very narrow function that has no independent use. Hence, it is an application -let. The term was introduced in AppleScript in 1993. An applet is distinguished from "subroutine" by several features. First, it executes only on the "client" platform environment of a system, as contrasted from "servlet." As such, an applet provides functionality or performance beyond the default capabilities of its container (the browser). Also, in contrast with a subroutine, certain capabilities are restricted by the container. An applet is written in a language that is different from the scripting or HTML language which invokes it. The applet is written in a compiled language, while the scripting language of the container is an interpreted language, hence the greater performance or functionality of the applet. Unlike a "subroutine," a complete web component can be implemented as an applet. An example of a web browser (Internet Explorer), displaying the English Wikipedia main page. ... A diminutive is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object named, intimacy, or endearment. ... AppleScript is a scripting language devised by Apple, Inc. ... The Java Servlet API allows a software developer to add dynamic content to a web server using the Java platform. ... HTML, short for Hypertext Markup Language, is the predominant markup language for the creation of web pages. ...

The word applet could alternatively be used to describe a small standalone application, such as those typically bundled with operating systems, for example a calculator program or text editor. Notepad is the standard text editor for Microsoft Windows A text editor is a piece of computer software for editing plain text. ...

Interfaces

Applets usually have some form of [user interface] or perform a particular piece of the overall user interface in a web page. This distinguishes them from a program written in a scripting programming language (such as JavaScript) that also runs in the context of a larger, client program, but which would not be considered an applet. Scripting programming languages (commonly called scripting languages or script languages) are computer programming languages designed for scripting the operation of a computer. ... JavaScript is a scripting language most often used for client-side web development. ...

Applets generally have the capability of interacting with and/or influencing their host program, through the restricted security privileges, although they are generally not required to do so. . . . .

Attributes

Unlike a program, an applet cannot run independently; an applet usually features display and graphics and often interacts with the human user. However, they are usually stateless and have restricted security privileges. The applet must run in a container, which is provided by a host program, through a plugin, or a variety of other applications including mobile devices that support the applet programming model. A computer program is a collection of instructions that describe a task, or set of tasks, to be carried out by a computer. ... Look up container in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A plugin (plug-in, addin, add-in, addon or add-on) is a computer program that interacts with a main (or host) application (a web browser or an email program, for example) to provide a certain, usually very specific, function on demand. ...

Examples

Common examples of applets are Java applets and Flash movies. Another example is the Windows Media Player applet that is used to display embedded video files in Internet Explorer (and other browsers that support the plugin). Some plugins also allow for displaying various 3D model formats in a web browser, via an applet that allow the view of the model to be rotated and zoomed. Many browser games are applet-based, though some may develop into fully functional applications that require installation. A Java applet is an applet delivered in the form of Java bytecode. ... SWF is a proprietary vector graphics file format produced by the Flash software from Adobe (formerly Macromedia). ... Windows Media Player (WMP) is a digital media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices. ... Windows Internet Explorer (formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer, abbreviated MSIE), and commonly abbreviated to IE, is a series of proprietary graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems starting in 1995. ... An example of a web browser (Internet Explorer), displaying the English Wikipedia main page. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

See also

• Java applet

A Java applet is an applet delivered in the form of Java bytecode. ...

References