Java Web Start: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:51, 17 October 2006

Revision as of 12:17, 17 October 2006

Line 2:

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

'''Java Web Start''' is a framework developed by [[Sun Microsystems]] which allows [[JavaApplication programming language|Javasoftware]] for the [[ApplicationJava software|applicationPlatform]]s to be started directly from the Internet using a [[web browser]]. Unlike [[Java applet]]s, Web Start applications do not run inside the browser, and the [[sandbox (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>[http://www.sun.com/smi/Press/sunflash/2001-03/sunflash.20010314.1.html Java Web Start 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 ==

Line 14:

Important Web Start features include the ability to automatically download and install a JRE in the case where the user does not have Java installed, and for programmers to specify which JRE version is needed to run a given program. The 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 are available when the user is connected to the Internet, thus easing the burden of deployment.

== Well-known Web Start applications ==

== See also ==

* [[ClickOnce]] - It's the .NET late answer to Java Web Start technology.

== Known Webstart Applications ==

* [http://ganttproject.sourceforge.net/ Gantt Project] - A open source project management tool.

Line 27 ⟶ 23:

* [http://rptools.net MapTool] - An electronic, networked, virtual battleboard for use in role playing games.

* [http://www.oxygenxml.com/ <oXygen/> XML Editor] - A XML Editor.

== See also ==

* [[ClickOnce]] - A similar system for the [[.Net Framework]].

== References ==