What Are Applets? Why Are They Used In Java?

"An applet" is just a program which is written in the "Java programming language" so as to can be included within an HTML page, it's just like the similar method an image is incorporated or included in a page. While you use a Java technology-enabled browser to sight or view a page which contains an applet, the code of an applet is transferred to your system and executed through the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) of browser. An applet can also be defined as a component of software which runs or executes in the context of another program, for instance a web browser. An applet is distinguished from subroutine by many features.

Firstly, a java applet executes just on the client platform like environment of system, as contrasted from the servlet. It is used in java as it provides functionality and performance beyond the default capabilities of its container which can be the browser. Also, opposite to a subroutine, few capabilities are simply restricted by the container. A JAVA applet is written in a language which is different from an HTML or scripting language which invokes it. An applet is always written in a "compiled language", while the "scripting language" of the container is an "interpreted language", hence an applet has the greater performance or functionality. Different to "subroutine," a whole complete web component can be implemented as an applet. An applet is usually used to display the graphics and many a times interacts with human user. Though, these are mostly stateless and have been restricted security privileges

It should be noted that applets are outdated and not used very much anymore. Applets simply imposed too many restrictions on developer and user. The technology of choice for this type of application would now be Java Web Start.

An applet is a program which is made in such a way that it can be launched within another application. Applications can be directly launched by the computer's operating system like Win XP, ME, 2000, 98, etc, but on the contrary applets cannot be launched by means of an operating system. Applets are now being widely used due to increasing demand of OLE which is also known as object linking and embedding. Applets are small; hence it is ideal for accessing small internet applications by means of an internet browser.

Applets can be inserted in an internet webpage i.e. an HTML page same as we insert an image file. Applets are made in Java programming language. When the browser  (Java enabled) you are using to view a webpage that is loaded with an applet, the browser's Java Virtual Machine launches the applets' code which is already transferred into your computer system.