HTML Application: Difference between revisions

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An '''HTML Application''' ('''HTA''') is a [[Microsoft Windows]] program whose source code consists of [[HTML]], [[Dynamic HTML]], and one or more scripting languages supported by [[Internet Explorer]], such as [[VBScript]] or [[JScript]]. The HTML is used to generate the user interface, and the scripting language is used for the program logic. An HTA executes without the constraints of the internetweb browser security model; in fact, it executes as a "fully trusted" application.

The usual file extension of an HTA is <code>.hta</code>.

The ability to execute HTAs was introduced to Microsoft Windows in 1999, along with the release of [[Microsoft Internet Explorer 5]].<ref>[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/200874 ''Article ID:200874 in Microsoft Support''], in Microsoft Support Knowledge Base</ref> On December 9, 2003, this technology was [[patent]]ed.<ref>[http{{Cite patent|number=US6662341B1|title=Method and apparatus for writing a windows application in HTML|gdate=2003-12-09|invent1=Cooper|invent2=Kohnfelder|invent3=Chavez|inventor1-first=Phillip R.|inventor2-first=Loren M.|inventor3-first=Roderick A.|url=https://newspatents.cnetgoogle.com/2100patent/US6662341B1/en?oq=PN/6,662,341}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Festa |first=Paul |date=2003-1012_312-5119072.html10 |title=Microsoft wins HTML application patent |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-wins-html-application-patent/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310170211/http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-wins-html-application-patent/ |archive-date=2016-03-10 |access-date=2016-01-10 |website=[[CNET]]}}</ref>

== Uses ==

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An HTA is treated like any executable file with extension [[EXE|<code>.exe</code>]]. When executed via mshta.exe (or if the file icon is double-clicked), it runs immediately. When executed remotely via the browser, the user is asked once, before the HTA is downloaded, whether or not to save or run the application; if saved, it can simply be run on demand after that.<ref name=msintro/>

By default, HTAs are rendered as per "standards-mode content in IE7 Standards mode and quirks mode content in IE5 (Quirks) mode", but this can be altered using <code>X-UA-Compatible</code> headers.<ref name=msintro>{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms536496%28v=vs.85%29.aspx#Compatibility |title=Introduction to HTML Applications (HTAs).|website=MicrosftMicrosoft MSDN|date=May 2011 |access-date= 24 June 2016}} Sections include Why Use HTAs, Creating an HTA, HTA-Specific Functionality, Security, Compatibility, Deployment</ref>

HTAs are dependent on the Trident (MSHTML) browser engine, used by [[Internet Explorer]], but are not dependent on the Internet Explorer application itself. If a user [[Removal of Internet Explorer|removes Internet Explorer]] from Windows, via the Control Panel, the MSHTML engine remains and HTAs continue to work. HTAs continue to work in Windows 11 as well.