<World-Wide Web> A Java program which can be distributed as
an attachment in a World-Wide Web document and executed by a
Java-enabled web browser such as Sun's HotJava,
Netscape Navigator version 2.0, or Internet Explorer.
Navigator severely restricts the applet's file system and
network access in order to prevent accidental or deliberate
security violations. Full Java applications, which run
outside of the browser, do not have these restrictions.
Web browsers can also be extended with plug-ins though these
differ from applets in that they usually require manual
installation and are platform-specific. Various other
languages can now be embedded within HTML documents, the
most common being JavaScript.
Despite Java's aim to be a "write once, run anywhere"
language, the difficulty of accomodating the variety of
browsers in use on the Internet has led many to abandon
client-side processing in favour of server-side Java
programs for which the term servlet was coined.
Merriam Webster "Collegiate Edition" gives a 1990 definition:
a short application program especially for performing a simple
specific task.
(2002-07-12)
Nearby terms:
Apple Open Collaboration Environment « AppleScript « Applesoft BASIC « applet » Appletalk » AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol » AppleTalk Filing Protocol
