| AppletFile Overview |
AppletFileTM is designed to improve the process of exchanging files between a web client and server using standard web protocols. By providing a set of Java Applets that extend web browser capabilities, AppletFile focuses on the client side of the process. Specifically, AppletFile makes it easier for a web browser to:
Even though the AppletFile Applets are designed to run on the web client, they do not need to be installed on each client. Instead, HTML pages that make use of AppletFile will automatically download the Applets from the server. This is very advantageous from a software maintainance point of view.
The first time AppletFile is started by a web client, a special dialog will appear asking for user confirmation before running the Applet. This confirmation is required because AppletFile must be able to read and write files on the client system. This permission can only be granted to Applets that are securely signed with a software publishing certificate by clients running a web browser that supports signed Applets. Web browsers that currently support signed Applets include:
On these browsers, the security information will be displayed to each user the first time they use AppletFile giving them the choice to grant or deny file access. If the web browser that does not support signed Applets or the user denys file access, the AppletFile Applets will not be able to fully function. Each AppletFile Applet includes a special parameter, alternateUrl, that can be used to handle these cases.
From the very start, web browsers have been able to download files from servers. However, the goal in mind for implementing this capability is to display the information referenced by a web address or hot link, not to save the information to a file. Because of this design, downloading files using a web browser has the following limitations:
Because the AppletFile Download Applet is designed specifically for downloading files, these problems have been eliminated.
For more detailed information on how to use the AppletFile Download Applet see:
With the adoption of RFC 1867 and the use of the <INPUT TYPE="FILE"> HTML tag, it has been possible to upload files using HTML forms. However, the way in which RFC 1867 was implemented in web browsers resulted in some significant limitations such as:
While still adhering to the RFC 1867 standard, the AppletFile Upload Applet solves these problems by making it easier for your users and giving your web application more control over the upload process.
For more detailed information on how to use the AppletFile Upload Applet see: