Java Web Start: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:57, 7 September 2006

Revision as of 07:59, 13 September 2006

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[[Image:Apple Java Web Start.png|left|80px]]

'''Java Web Start''' is a framework developed by [[Sun Microsystems]] thatwhich enables startingallows [[Java programming language|Java]] [[application]]s to be started directly from the [[World Wide Web|Web]]Internet using a [[Webweb browser|browser]]. Unlike [[Java applet]]s, Web Start applications do not run inside the browser, and the [[Sandboxsandbox (computer security)|sandbox]] in which they run does not have to be as restricted, although this can be configured. One chief advantage of Web Start over applets is that they overcome many compatibility problems with browsers' Java [[plugin]]s and different [[Java virtual machine|JVM]] versions. On the other hand, Web Start programs cannot communicate with the browser as easily as applets. To assist migration, a Java Applet can also be used as a Java Web Start application.

Web Start also provides a series of classes in the <code>[http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/docs/javadoc/index.html javax.jnlp]</code> [[Java package|package]] which provide various services to the application. Most of these services are designed around the idea of allowing carefully controlled access to resources (such as files and the system clipboard) while restricting the application to authorized operations.

Version 1.0 of Web Start was introduced by Sun in March [[2001]]{{.<ref|pr}},>[http://www.sun.com/smi/Press/sunflash/2001-03/sunflash.20010314.1.html andJava everWeb sinceStart 1.0 press release]</ref>Since [[Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition|J2SE]] version 1.4 it has been included by default with the [[Java Runtime Environment]] (JRE) and does not have to be installed separately.

== Java Network Launching Protocol ==

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'''Java Network Launching Protocol''' ('''JNLP''') is a closely-related concept that is often used interchangeably with the term "Web Start." It is the protocol, defined as an [[XML]] file format, that specifies how Java Web Start applications are started. JNLP files include information such as the ___location of the [[Jar (file format)|jar]] package file and the name of the main class for the application, in addition to any other parameters for the program. With a properly configured browser, JNLP files are passed to a Java Runtime Environment which in turn downloads the application onto the user's machine and starts executing it. JNLP was developed under the [[Java Community Process]] as JSR 56, which includes the original 1.0 release, the subsequent 1.5 maintenance release, and [[as of 2006]], the pending 6.0 maintenance release.

Important Web Start features include the ability to automatically download and install a JRE's in the case where the user does not have Java installed (although this does not work with every browser and platform), and for programmers to specify which JRE version is needed to run a given program. Also, theThe user does not have to remain connected to the Internet to execute the downloaded programs, because they execute from a locally-maintained [[cache]]. Finally, automatic updates of the software from the Web isare available when the user is connected to the Internet, thus easing the burden of deployment.

== Known Webstart Applications ==

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== References ==

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{{note|pr}} [http://www.sun.com/smi/Press/sunflash/2001-03/sunflash.20010314.1.html Java Web Start 1.0 press release]

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== External links ==