[MUD-Dev] Java and Javascript

[Matt Chatterley]

On Fri, 13 Feb 1998 coder at ibm.net wrote:

[Greg Munt]
> >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.  

I think you mean Java. :) From what I understand, you would have to reload
pages using JScript (not sure on this) whereas java runs as an
'application' of sorts (hence applet) within its own cutesy little grey
box, independant of page reloads etc (sure on this).
 
> >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.

Absolutely agreed that the browser interface is not useful. If anything,
it means a waste of resources!
 
> It makes more sense to me to have the browser lauch a Java application ala
> plug-in.

Or, since the browser implementations of Java seem to be flawed, require
the user to download a JRE (runtime environment without the development
tools and such) for their system. OTOH I've had no troubles with
in-browser Java as yet, but am not using 'cutting edge' features, either.
You may well encounter troubles (Ack! I'm tired/sloshed, I nearly typed
'you may well encounter trousers').
 
> >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.

Very, very little, basically. :)

--
Regards,
	-Matt Chatterley
"Every breath you take, every bond you break.. I'll be watching you."
                                                                    -The Police