Adding Java Applets

Java applets are another good way to spice up your page. A Java applet is a software program that is actually downloaded and run on your computer. Many kinds of Java applets are available on the Web, from relatively simple Java animations to more sophisticated full-feature applications.

BUZZ WORD

A Java applet is a small program (thus the word "applet") created in the Java programming language that can be downloaded with a Web page and executed by any Java-enabled browser. All current Web browsers support running Java applets.

Generally, the source of the Java applet should provide you with the HTML code required to insert the applet in your page, as well as all the files and folders that compose the applet. In many cases, you can just copy the HTML code for the applet and then paste it into your page, rather than having to retype it. Here's an example of doing that:

View the applet's page source. In either Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, just right-click on the applet's Web page, and then click on View Source.
Highlight the applet code (everything starting with <applet> and ending with </applet>) and press Ctrl+C to copy the code. Use Ctrl+V to paste it into the HTML file.
You might need to edit the code slightly. For instance, if you are placing all the Java applet files in the same folder as the applet's HTML file, delete any "codebase" attribute values included in the APPLET element.

Here are some Web sites where you can find Java applets:

The Java Boutique at www.javaboutique.internet.com/
JavaPowered.com at www.javapowered.com/
Gamelon.com at www.developer.com/java/
Free-Applets.com at www.free-applets.com/

You should be aware of performance and compatibility issues when using Java applets in Web pages. Java applets can increase the amount of time it takes your page to download and display. Visitors using browsers that don't support Java or who have Java turned off cannot see your applet. Also, Microsoft no longer provides its own Java Virtual Machine (JVM) in its latest browser versions, but requires that users download Sun Microsystems' JVM if they want support for Java in their browser. For that reason, if you use Java applets, you might also want to include links to where a JVM can be downloaded:

Sun Microsystems' Java Virtual Machine at www.java.com/
Macintosh users who visit your site can download and install the latest version of MRJ (currently MRJ 2.2.2) from developer.apple.com/java/text/download.html