Difference Between Applet and Application in Java

In this article, we will understand the Difference between Applet and Application in Java. Before understanding the Difference between an Applet and an Application in Java, let us know what they mean. Java application is like any Java program which can be executed on a machine without any other application. It can be used without any GUI (Graphical User Interface).

While on the other hand, a Java applet is a program that can be run on a Java-supported browser. Java applets are embedded with the help of HTML. Therefore, Java applets are generally used for Graphical purposes.

Java Applet

A Java applet is a Java program that can be embedded in an HTML website. It runs inside the web browser. An HTML website uses the <APPLET> tag to use it. It does not have the access to all the resources of the system like local storage, and thus it can not read and write files on the system without permission. It does not require a main() method. For running the Applet code, a Java-supported web browser uses the Java Virtual Machine of the system to compile the code and then run it. A Java applet executes methods in this sequence : init(), start() and paint(). It does not need all these methods, but if there are multiple methods then it follows the sequence.

Features of Java Applet :

• It requires a Java-supported web browser for its execution.
• All the Java applets are a sub-class of the java.applet.Applet class.
• main() method is not required
• it follows this sequence while executing methods : init(), start(), paint() and then other methods.
• Termination of a Java applet is done by stop() and destroy() methods.
• It is used to display dynamic content.
• They do not have access to local storage.
• The Operating System does not completely trust Java applets.

Sample Code for a Java Applet

Example - 1 :
Let's say that we want to design a Java applet that displays any message.

Code :

To see how this applet runs, we need to embed it into an HTML file. We will use the applet tags.

Let us see the code for the same :

To run the applet, we will have to compile the java file using the javac in the terminal/command prompt.

We will run the following command :

Remember :
Modern Chrome and Firefox browsers do not support Java. To use this Java Applet, we will have to use some java supported browser or we can use the appletviewer. In this article, we will use the appletviewer.

Command to run in terminal/command prompt :

Output :

Java Application

Java application is a Java program that is stand-alone, i.e. it does not require a web browser to run. It uses JVM (Java Virtual Machine) to compile and run the code. It uses the resources of the system using the Java security model, and it is generally stored in the system where it is running. It creates .class files. A Java application requires a main() method for its execution. main() method calls for other required methods. It can read and write the local files of the system.

Features of Java Application :

• It is a Java program and requires a main() method for its execution.
• It has full access to the local storage as well as the network of the system where it is executed.
• It is trusted by the Operating System.
• It does not require any applications such as web browsers for its execution.

Sample Code for a Java Application

Example - 1 :
Let's say that we want to design a Java application that adds 2 numbers.

Code :

Output :

Key Difference Between Applet and Application in Java

Execution Environment:

• Applet: Runs in web browsers using a Java plug-in.
• Application: Runs standalone on any device with a JVM.

Security Restrictions:

• Applet: Restricted access (e.g., can’t access local filesystem) for security reasons.
• Application: Full access to system resources.

Life Cycle Methods:

• Applet: Has specific methods like init(), start(), stop(), and destroy().
• Application: Mainly relies on the main() method.

User Interface:

• Applet: Generally part of a web page; uses AWT or Swing for GUI.
• Application: Can have GUI or command-line interfaces.

Difference Between Applet and Application in Java

Let us differentiate Java Applet and Java Application

Explore Scaler Topics Java Tutorial and enhance your Java skills with Reading Tracks and Challenges.