[MUD-Dev] Java and Javascript

[coder at ibm.net]

On 28/01/98 at 07:10 PM, Greg Munt <greg at uni-corn.demon.co.uk> said:

>Hope you can help me. I'm looking to implement some sort of graphical 
>client, within a web browser. I know that this has been done before, 
>without requiring the page to be reloaded. They used either Java or 
>Javascript, can't remember which.

Of necessity it would be JavaScript.  Java can be embedded in Web pages,
be used for standalone applications, etc.  Javascript can only be embedded
in web pages.  

>IIRC, Java is useful on the networking side, whilst Javascript is useful 
>when you need firm control of the browser itself. Does anyone care to 
>supply advantages/disadvantages of each, and what each should be ideally 
>used for?

Iwoudl start with arguing why the browser interface is actually useful to
you as a MUD interface.  Note that I am not arguing against using the
broswer interface to reach to the MUD, but using the browser interface
during your MUD interactions.  I don't see much use for Forward and Back
buttons while MUDding, or Bookmarks, etc.

It makes more sense to me to have the browser lauch a Java application ala
plug-in.

>Should I be looking at both Java *and* Javascript, to complement each 
>other, or should I concentrate on using just one of them? How much of the
> Java/Javascript functionality does the potential DHTML/DOM standard 
>encompass?

Not much.  See www.w3.org.

--
J C Lawrence                               Internet: claw at null.net
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