HTML and CSS Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 12. Executable Content
One of the most useful web technologies is the ability to deliver applic-
ations directly to the browser. These typically small programs perform
simple tasks on the client computer, from responding to user mouse or
keyboard actions to spicing up your web page displays with multimedia-
enabling software.
You can embed scripts in your documents using a language known as
JavaScript. Or you can load and execute small, Java-based, platform-in-
dependent applications known as
applets
. During execution, these pro-
grams may generate dynamic content, interact with the user, validate
form data, or even create windows and run entire applications independ-
ent of your pages. The possibilities are endless, and they go far beyond
the simple document model originally envisioned for HTML.
In this chapter, we show you, with simple examples, how to include two
kinds of executable contentscripts and appletsin your documents. We
won't, however, teach you how to write and debug executable content.
This is a book about HTML and XTHML, after all. Rather, get an expert
opinion: turn to any of the many excellent texts from O'Reilly, especially
the companion
JavaScript: The Definitive Guide
, by David Flanagan.
