Applets
Definition
Applets are small applications designed to perform specific tasks within a larger program or environment. Historically, applets were most associated with Java, where they were embedded in web pages and executed inside a browser through the Java Virtual Machine. Their purpose was to deliver interactive features such as animations, calculators, or simple games.
Applets provided a way to run cross-platform applications inside a browser, but over time, they became less common due to security risks and modern alternatives such as JavaScript, HTML5, and mobile apps.
Advanced
At an advanced level, applets operate within a sandboxed environment, restricting access to system resources for security. Java applets, for example, required a browser plug-in and could use signed certificates for elevated permissions.
Although rarely used in modern web development, applets remain relevant in legacy enterprise systems and educational environments. They illustrate early efforts to create portable, modular, and lightweight software components.
Why it matters
Use cases
Metrics
Issues
Example
In the early 2000s, universities used Java applets to deliver interactive physics simulations. These tools allowed students to visualise experiments directly in the browser, improving learning outcomes. Today, such tools are replaced by HTML5 applications.