Digisign Java reference. Welcome to the Digisign Java page. To be able to run your Java applets or script you require a Java capable browser. Most new version of browser support Java and we do not want to try to be a judge of which is better then the other. The two giants of browsers are of course Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Explorer and we can recommend both of these. To download the newest versions click on the links provided. Many believe (wrongly) that Java and JavaScript are the same. Java is a complete environment dependent on a specific platform developed by Sun and JavaScript (developed by Netscape as Live Script) is a script language with which you can automate certain functions and create simple programs with. The only thing Java and JavaScript have in common is that they more or less use the same syntax. The great thing with JavaScript is that you can include it directly in your HTML code, which means that you only need to keep track of one document, however if the script is very large it may be better to dedicate it a own document. As with most things there are also pluses and minuses with JavaScript. The advantage is of course that it can be included in your HTML document and it is fairly easy to learn. The scripts tend to be compact compared with Java and are just like Java independent of any platform. Any modern browser on any platform can run a JavaScript. The disadvantage is that JavaScript is visible for all visitors to copy and use on their own pages. By looking at the document source in the browser your script will be revealed and easily copied. Also at present there are few programs created for development of JavaScript and that the scripts are limited in functions but newer versions of JavaScript are in the works so the development of the script language is constant. Below you will find a simple example of a JavaScript button. This type is becoming more and more popular on web sites. However it requires that you have Netscape 3.0 or Microsoft Explorer 4.0 and up. You are welcome to cut and paste the script onto your own page. You will need to make new images. We are creating a simple mouseover button. The button will take your visitor to any desired link. It can be linked to an outside site or used as a back and forward button. Keep in mind that a visitor should have a chance to proceed to other areas from your pages. Never leave a visitor with a dead end but offer them links to other site that you have of interest or even better to other pages you have created. Remember to try to make your page an experience for visitors and take advantage of the interactivity that the web offers. Right, the button script looks like this when all is completed. To see the java script use the "View Source" in the "View" menu of your browser. The Java Script is always placed at the top of the document and then the place of implementation may be anywhere on the page. If you click on the button you will be returned to the previous page I N D E X G R A P H I C S L I N K S H T M L M A I L