Sun designed Java from the start to fit hand-in-glove on the Internet. Applets are special Java PROGRAMS that execute from within a Web browser. In contrast, a Java application (an application PROGRAM as opposed to an applet) does not run within a browser. As it turns out, Java applets are not much different from standalone Java application. You can start developing your Java program from either an applet or an application and cross over any time. For example, assume that you are writing a new Java-based application that is initially designed as a standalone (non-Internet) GAME for Mac COMPUTERS. At the end of your program's development CYCLE, you decide that you want it to run on Web browsers. Your task to make it into a Web-based applet involves very trivial changes, and the addition of some simple HTML code. At the same time, you will find that the game will also run on computers other than Macs! The point you should remember is that Java applets run within browsers across the Web, whereas Java application programs do not.

Sun designed Java from the start to fit hand-in-glove on the Internet. Applets are special Java programs that execute from within a Web browser. In contrast, a Java application (an application program as opposed to an applet) does not run within a browser. As it turns out, Java applets are not much different from standalone Java application. You can start developing your Java program from either an applet or an application and cross over any time. For example, assume that you are writing a new Java-based application that is initially designed as a standalone (non-Internet) game for Mac computers. At the end of your program's development cycle, you decide that you want it to run on Web browsers. Your task to make it into a Web-based applet involves very trivial changes, and the addition of some simple HTML code. At the same time, you will find that the game will also run on computers other than Macs! The point you should remember is that Java applets run within browsers across the Web, whereas Java application programs do not.