Applets

n. (Computers) small application designed to perform a very specific function; small Java application that can be sent to a user from a World Wide Web site and run within a Java-enabled Web browser

An applet is a software component that runs in the context of another program, for example a web browser. An applet usually performs a very narrow function that has no independent use. Hence, it is an application -let. The term was introduced in AppleScript in 1993. An applet is distinguished from "subroutine" by several features. First, it executes only on the "client" platform environment of a system, as contrasted from "servlet." As such, an applet provides functionality or performance beyond the default capabilities of its container (the browser). Also, in contrast with a subroutine, certain capabilities are restricted by the container. An applet is written in a language that is different from the scripting or HTML language which invokes it. The applet is written in a compiled language, while the scripting language of the container is an interpreted language, hence the greater performance or functionality of the applet. Unlike a "subroutine," a complete web component can be implemented as an applet.
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Noun
1. a Java application; an application program that uses the client's web browser to provide a user interface
(hypernym) application, application program, applications programme

n. applet, small application designed to perform a very specific function (Computers); small Java application that can be sent to a user from a World Wide Web site and run within a Java-enabled Web browser

<World-Wide Web> A Java program which can be distributed as an attachment in a World-Wide Web document and executed by a Java-enabled web browser such as Sun's HotJava, Netscape Navigator version 2.0, or Internet Explorer.
Navigator severely restricts the applet's file system and network access in order to prevent accidental or deliberate security violations. Full Java applications, which run outside of the browser, do not have these restrictions.
Web browsers can also be extended with plug-ins though these differ from applets in that they usually require manual installation and are platform-specific. Various other languages can now be embedded within HTML documents, the most common being JavaScript.
Despite Java's aim to be a "write once, run anywhere" language, the difficulty of accomodating the variety of browsers in use on the Internet has led many to abandon client-side processing in favour of server-side Java programs for which the term servlet was coined.
Merriam Webster "Collegiate Edition" gives a 1990 definition: a short application program especially for performing a simple specific task.
(2002-07-12)