Key Differences Between / Technology

Key differences between Applet in Java and Servlet in Java

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Applet in Java

An applet in Java is a small application designed to be embedded within a webpage or run in a browser, allowing dynamic and interactive user experiences on web pages. Developed using Java programming language, applets run on the client side, in the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) of the browser, which isolates them from the operating system for added security through a sandbox environment. This sandbox security model restricts certain functionalities like file access and network connections, safeguarding against malicious operations. To execute, applets require a Java plugin or a compatible environment in the browser. Although once popular for creating animations, games, and interactive features, the use of Java applets has declined due to security concerns and advancements in web technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript.

Functions of Applet in Java:

  • Multimedia Integration:

Applets are used to integrate multimedia content such as audio, video, and graphics into web pages, enhancing the interactivity and visual appeal of websites.

  • Interactive User Interfaces:

They can create interactive user interfaces using AWT (Abstract Window Toolkit) or Swing components, providing more engaging web user experiences.

  • Animation Creation:

Applets enable developers to build animations, which can be used for educational purposes, games, or visually dynamic presentations on websites.

  • Real-time Updates:

They are capable of refreshing data in real-time without the need to reload the web page, useful for applications like live sports scores, stock market ticks, or dynamic graphs.

  • Client-side Processing:

By performing computations on the client side, applets reduce the load on the server and can improve the application’s overall performance and responsiveness.

  • Game Development:

Applets provide a platform for developing and running small browser-based games, leveraging Java’s robust features for a secure and relatively fast gaming experience.

  • Educational Tools:

Frequently used for educational purposes, applets can demonstrate complex topics interactively, such as simulations in physics, mathematics visualizations, and interactive quizzes.

  • Security Environments:

Operate in a restricted security environment called a “sandbox”, which limits their ability to access system resources, thereby providing a safer execution of untrusted code.

Example of Applet in Java

Below is a simple example of a Java Applet that creates a basic graphical user interface displaying a message. This example assumes you have a basic understanding of Java programming and applet structure. Note that applets are largely deprecated and might not run on newer browsers without specific configurations due to security restrictions.

First, you’ll need to write the Java code for the applet. Here’s a simple code example:

import java.awt.Graphics;

import javax.swing.JApplet;

public class HelloApplet extends JApplet {

    public void paint(Graphics g) {

        // Draws the string inside the applet window.

        g.drawString(“Hello, Java Applet!”, 50, 25);

    }

}

To run this applet, you could traditionally embed it into an HTML page. Here’s how you could write the HTML code:

<html>

<body>

    <applet code=”HelloApplet.class” width=”200″ height=”50″>

        Your browser does not support Java Applets.

    </applet>

</body>

</html>

You would compile the Java code (HelloApplet.java) to a class file (HelloApplet.class) and place it in the same directory as your HTML file or configure the appropriate path.

Steps to Compile and Run (If you still have an environment that supports Applets):

  1. Compile the Java file:

Run javac HelloApplet.java in your terminal to compile the code.

  1. View the Applet:

Open the HTML file in a browser that supports Java Applets with the necessary configurations to allow applet execution (likely an older browser version).

Servlet in Java

Servlet in Java is a server-side technology that extends the capabilities of servers handling web requests. Developed using Java, servlets operate within a web server’s servlet container, processing incoming requests from clients (such as browsers), generating dynamic content, and sending responses back. Unlike applets that run on the client-side, servlets run on the server-side without requiring any Java software on the user’s computer. Servlets are a fundamental part of the Java EE (Enterprise Edition) platform and provide a robust mechanism for server-side scripting. They manage intricate operations like session tracking, data retrieval, and database connectivity efficiently. Servlets are preferred over CGI as they provide a way to generate dynamic content on the web server using a lightweight, consistent, and secure platform.

Functions of Servlet in Java:

  • Request Handling:

Servlets process incoming requests from clients (usually browsers) and generate responses, handling different types of HTTP methods like GET and POST.

  • Session Tracking:

Servlets can manage sessions through cookies, URL rewriting, or SSL sessions, allowing for user-specific data to persist across multiple interactions.

  • Form Data Handling:

Servlets can easily handle data sent from HTML forms, parsing it for use within server-side applications.

  • Database Connectivity:

Servlets can connect to databases to retrieve, insert, update, or delete data, often using JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) to interact with the database.

  • Dynamic Response Generation:

Servlets generate dynamic web content such as HTML, XML, or JSON based on the request parameters and server-side logic.

  • File Upload:

Servlets can handle file uploads, processing and storing files uploaded by users through web forms.

  • Security Management:

Servlets provide mechanisms to secure applications, including confidentiality (encryption), integrity, and authentication.

  • Integration with Other Java Technologies:

Servlets can seamlessly integrate with other Java EE technologies like JSP (JavaServer Pages), EJB (Enterprise JavaBeans), and JavaBeans, enhancing functionality and promoting reuse of components.

Example of Servlet in Java:

Here is a simple example of a Servlet in Java that handles a basic GET request. This Servlet will respond with a simple message to the client.

import javax.servlet.*;

import javax.servlet.http.*;

import java.io.*;

public class SimpleServlet extends HttpServlet {

    public void doGet(HttpServletRequest request, HttpServletResponse response)

    throws ServletException, IOException {

        // Setting up the content type of webpage

        response.setContentType(“text/html”);

        // Writing the message on the web page

        PrintWriter out = response.getWriter();

        out.println(“<h1>” + “Hello World from a Simple Servlet!” + “</h1>”);

    }

}

Explanation:

  1. Import Statements: Necessary to access the HttpServlet class and related classes for handling requests and responses.
  2. Class Definition: SimpleServlet extends HttpServlet, indicating it’s a servlet capable of handling HTTP requests.
  3. doGet Method: This method is overridden to provide a specific implementation for handling GET requests.
    • HttpServletRequest and HttpServletResponse objects are passed to this method by the servlet container (like Tomcat) to work with the HTTP request and response respectively.
  4. Response Content Type: The content type of the response is set to “text/html”, indicating that the HTTP response will be HTML.
  5. Writing Output: A PrintWriter object is obtained from the HttpServletResponse, and HTML content is written through it. In this case, it outputs “Hello World from a Simple Servlet!” inside an <h1>

Deployment:

To use this servlet, you’d typically compile the Java file, package it into a WAR (Web Application Archive) file, and deploy it to a servlet container such as Apache Tomcat. You also need to configure it in the web.xml deployment descriptor or via annotations so the servlet container knows how to route requests to it. Here is a basic web.xml configuration example:

<web-app xmlns=”http://xmlns.jcp.org/xml/ns/javaee”

         xmlns:xsi=”http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance”

         xsi:schemaLocation=”http://xmlns.jcp.org/xml/ns/javaee

         http://xmlns.jcp.org/xml/ns/javaee/web-app_3_1.xsd”

         version=”3.1″>

    <servlet>

        <servlet-name>SimpleServlet</servlet-name>

        <servlet-class>SimpleServlet</servlet-class>

    </servlet>

    <servlet-mapping>

        <servlet-name>SimpleServlet</servlet-name>

        <url-pattern>/greet</url-pattern>

    </servlet-mapping>

</web-app>

This configuration maps the URL pattern /greet to the SimpleServlet, so when you visit http://yourserver.com/greet, it triggers this servlet to respond.

Key differences between Applet and Servlet in Java

Aspect Applet Servlet
Execution Environment Client-side (Web browser) Server-side (Web server)
Main Function GUI component in browsers Handle server-side requests
Life Cycle Control Controlled by browser Controlled by server (servlet container)
Portability Runs in any browser (with JVM) Runs on any server (with servlet support)
User Interaction Direct with user Indirect via HTTP
Installation Downloaded on client machine Installed on server
Communication Method Direct to user HTTP requests and responses
Initiation Started by user/browser Started by server
Execution Security Sandbox environment Server security settings
Performance Dependent on client’s machine Dependent on server’s capabilities
Resource Access Limited, secured Extensive, server resources
State Management Manages its own state Uses session, cookies, etc.
Update Handling Requires client-side update Update server-side only
Typical Use Case Interactive animations, UI components Data processing, form handling
Dependency on Web Technologies Less dependent (standalone in nature) Highly dependent on web protocols

Key Similarities between Applet and Servlet in Java

  • Java-based:

Both Applets and Servlets are developed using Java, making them integral parts of Java-based web applications.

  • Lifecycle Management:

Both have defined lifecycles managed by an external entity; applets by the web browser and servlets by the servlet container.

  • Require JVM:

Both Applets and Servlets run within a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), although the JVM is hosted in different environments (browser for applets, server for servlets).

  • Component of Web Applications:

Each plays a crucial role in web applications, with applets enhancing the client side and servlets primarily handling server-side processing.

  • Interaction with HTTP:

Both can interact with HTTP protocols, though servlets do this directly as part of their core functionality, while applets may do so optionally to communicate with a server.

  • Security Concerns:

Both operate under security restrictions and guidelines to prevent unauthorized operations and data breaches, albeit in slightly different contexts.

  • Capability to Generate Dynamic Content:

Applets can create dynamic and interactive content on the client side, while servlets generate dynamic web content on the server side.

  • API Support:

Both utilize Java APIs extensively, with applets using AWT or Swing for the user interface, and servlets using JEE specifications for web services and more.

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