Difference between applet and application

We explain difference between application and applet. Java is a very common word. The advent of technology has made the word Java a popular term. Java is basically a class-based, high-level programming language that is object-oriented. Java is designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible.

Java was developed by Sun Microsystems. Initially, it was made to develop programs for all kinds of decoders. Later, with the advancements in technology, Java began to be used commonly to create web applications. This programming language allows developers to write once and run anywhere, without having to recompile.

As of today, Java is one of the most widely used and popular programming languages. There are approximately 9 million developers. It is commonly used for client-server related web applications.

With Java, it is possible to create four types of programs. Of these, two of the most popular programs are Application and Applet. Although these programs sound similar, they are quite different from each other.

The difference between application and applet is an application is an independent program that works with the support of a virtual machine and can be executed directly on the machine. On the other hand, an applet is specific and can be run within an HTML document or a Java compatible web browser.

Comparison table between application and applet

Comparison Application Applet Parameters

What is the application?

An application is a Java program, which is self-contained and runs on an underlying operating system. It supports a client-side or server-side virtual machine. It performs specific functions on any machine, no matter what the architecture of the computer is.

The application is done in a general sense and can perform any specific task for the user. It is an extensive program. It is run primarily by users and sometimes by other application programs.

An application can work with or without a graphical user interface (GUI).

Application programs have access to all data, information, files, folders, and resources that are present on the system. These are trusted, so there are no security restrictions on them.

Database programs, text and image editing programs, spreadsheets, etc., are some of the examples of the Java application.

What is Applet?

An applet is another Java program, which is a smaller program. An applet is designed in such a way that it can be run within an HTML web document or a Java-compatible browser. It requires a Java plug-in in the client’s browser to ensure that it can run in the clients’ browser. The applet code is embedded in an HTML page.

In simple language, Applet is basically the web version of an application. It works on the client side with less response time. It is generally used in Internet computing. Helps to generate dynamic content.

The applet can be run through various platforms such as Mac and Windows. It is possible to transfer an applet from one computer to another, via the Internet. This can be done using any web browser that supports Java. Applets do not have access to any data, folders or files available on the system.

An applet is used to perform various tasks. It can support various applications that are used to create animations, play sounds, display graphics, play interactive games, perform arithmetic operations, and so on.

Key differences between Application and applet

• Applications are large programs, while applets are smaller programs.
• Applications are standalone programs that can run independently and do not require a web browser. On the other hand, applets are embedded within an HTML page and require a Java compatible web browser to run.
• For running applications, the main () method is required. On the other hand, for the execution of applets, inti () is required
• Applications can access all the data, information, folder and file that are available on the system, while applets do not have access to any data, information, folder and file that are available on the system.
• The applications do not require much security, as they are trusted programs. On the other hand, applets require high security since they are not reliable programs.
• Applications do not require a graphical user interface (GUI) to run, whereas applications must run with a graphical user interface (GUI).

Final Thought

Applications and applets are two terms that are often confused with each other. Both are Java programming languages, the use and execution of which are quite different from each other. Both programs perform their own tasks and are of specific importance depending on how they are used.

The main difference between the two is that an application is a standalone program that can run independently, whereas an applet can only run in a Java-compatible web browser. An application has access to all the resources of a system, whereas an applet does not have access to the resources of a system.