Java is a computer language created by Sun Microsystems. It is used to create small programs called 'applets' which can be incorporated into web pages, making them more interactive. In theory, applets are capable of doing anything that conventional small applications can do, but they perform their tasks right in your browser. The most serious limitation to what can be done with Java on the World Wide Web is the speed of the Internet (rather slow, as we all know).

Currently, Java is used primarily as a means of adding multimedia content to Web pages -- things like sound, video, and scrolling text. What really distinguishes Java, however, is its potential to supply true interactivity to the web.

If you're curious to see some examples, you'll find an excellent collection of sample JavaScripts and Java applets at: Gamelan: the official directory for Java.

Related Questions:

• What are Java applets?
• What is Javascript?
• Does my Sympatico software work with Java and JavaScript?

Back to FAQ