Java: Why No Applets

These notes were originally written using applets almost entirely. However, all applet examples are being changed to applications.

• The only portable applets are written in Java 1.1, but Java have moved far beyond that. I'm not interested in programs that are limited to the older, and seriously inferior, AWT. Yes, Java plugins can be used for the more recent versions, but it's a hassle. To get around this, many books that teach applets suggest using the appletviewer program thereby negating the supposed applet advantages.
• In a controlled environment, such as a large company, it's possible to use later versions of applets, but they aren't the best idea for general examples.
• Many current applets should instead be animated GIFs, JavaScript, or Flash.
• Assuming the later versions of Java are used, most applet source will look similar to application code. However, there are some divergences that are annoying: the common practice of init instead of a contructors, the fixed size as opposed to using pack, lack of I/O capability (without permissions), ... It's even worse when using Java 1.1 because the lack of a content pane distorts the program.
• Java WebStart is a much better solution to web distributed software anyway.
• The primary use of Java has turned out to be applications, not applets as predicted by the initial hype.