Java Applets
Java applets are useful for creating animations, for displaying
images with sound background, for graphics effects, and for
interactive things such as games. Java also allows a designer
to create applets that interact with a server side database without
the need to resort to CGI.
Java Script
JavaScript's most useful capabilty is support of forms processing:
it allows for immediate checking of data entry with interactive feed back
when missing, incomplete, or incorrect fields are submitted by
the user. In conjunction with CGI handling of corrected submissions,
this provides a powerful tool for database maintenance..
JavaScript is useful for differentiating amongst browsers, so that
HTML code can be customized to browser idiosyncracies. It is also
a powerful tool for handling of events, such as mouse position and
click. This latter enhances its usefulness in forms processing.
Advantages
As mentioned above, Java permits direct database operations; i.e.,
without the need to resort to CGI. There is probably nothing
that JavaScript can do that is not doable in Java; the reverse is not true.
However, JavaScript is always a better choice for things that it can handle
for the following reasons:
- It is supported by both 16 bit and 32 bit browsers from
Netscape and Microsoft, meaning a wider audience of users.
- Pages with JavaScript will load and run faster than pages with Java
implementations of the same function.
- Functions can be implemented faster and easier using JavaScript.
- Many users with 32 bit browsers run with Java disabled for fear of
potential security problems. While these fears may be unfounded,
they must be taken into account.
This page brought to you courtesy of GeoCities