Web Technology - Module IX

Applet
Applet Class

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● The Applet class in Java is part of the java.applet package and extends
java.awt.Panel. It provides a framework for creating small programs that are run

A
within a web browser.
● Applets are typically used to create interactive applications that can run inside a
webpage, though they are now less common due to security issues and the rise of
alternative web technologies.

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● An applet runs in a restricted environment, known as a sandbox, which limits its access
to certain system resources for security reasons.

Applet Architecture

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● The architecture of an applet revolves around four key lifecycle methods that manage
its initialization, running, pausing, and termination.
●

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When an applet is loaded, the applet's lifecycle methods are called in a specific
sequence, which manages how the applet behaves within a webpage.
Applet execution is managed by the Java Plug-in or Java-enabled browsers, which
handle interactions between the applet and the HTML document hosting it.
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Applet Skeleton

● The basic structure of an applet includes overriding key lifecycle methods from the
Applet class, which control the applet’s behavior.
B

● Basic Skeleton:
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IP
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A
Applet Lifecycle Methods

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● The lifecycle of an applet is controlled by these methods:
○ init(): Called once when the applet is first loaded. This is where you initialize
variables or set up the applet’s environment.

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○ start(): Called each time the applet becomes active, such as when the user
navigates back to the page containing the applet. It resumes any activity that was
paused or stopped.
○ stop(): Called when the applet is no longer visible to the user or the user

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navigates away. Any ongoing activity in the applet should be paused.
○ destroy(): Called when the applet is being permanently unloaded. This is used to
release resources and perform final cleanup.
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○ paint(Graphics g): Called whenever the applet needs to redraw itself. This
method is often used to render text, shapes, and images.

setForeground() and setBackground() Methods

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● setForeground(Color color): Sets the foreground color for the applet, which is the color
used for drawing text and shapes.
○ Example: setForeground(Color.RED);
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● setBackground(Color color): Sets the background color for the applet, which is the
color of the applet’s background area.
○ Example: setBackground(Color.LIGHT_GRAY);
● These methods are often called in the init() method to set up the appearance of the
applet.
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Using the Status Window

● The status window is a small area in the browser (often at the bottom) where the applet
can display text messages to the user.
B

● The Applet class provides the showStatus(String message) method to display

messages in the status bar.
 ● Example:

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HTML <applet> Tag

A
● To include an applet in an HTML page, the <applet> tag (now deprecated) was used to
embed the Java applet.
● Basic Syntax:

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N
● Attributes:

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○ code: Specifies the class file of the applet.
○ width and height: Set the size of the applet window.
○ param: Passes parameters to the applet (explained further below).
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Passing Parameters to an Applet

● HTML <param> tags can be used to pass values to an applet.

● In the applet code, these parameters can be retrieved using getParameter(String
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name).
● Example:
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● In the Applet:
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getCodeBase() and getDocumentBase() Methods

 ● These methods are used to retrieve the URLs associated with the applet.
● getCodeBase():
○ Returns the URL of the directory from which the applet's code (class file) was
loaded.
○ Useful for accessing resources stored in the same directory as the applet class
files.

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○ Example:

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● getDocumentBase():

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○ Returns the URL of the document (HTML file) that contains the applet.
○ Useful when the applet needs to interact with other files or resources in the
HTML file's location.

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○ Example:

Summary of Applet Lifecycle and Key Methods A

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Method Purpose Typical Usage Location
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init() Initialize applet state Called once, upon loading

start() Start or resume execution Each time the applet

becomes visible
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stop() Pause or stop execution When user navigates away

destroy() Final cleanup before applet Called once, before

termination unloading

paint() Renders applet graphics Called when applet needs

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redrawing
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