Scripting Applets Pays Off

摘要

When you want to add client-side functionality to a Web site you have to make a choice: applets or JavaScript. Then again, do you? Java applets are powerful, but compared to JavaScript they're hard to develop and modify. On the other hand, some jobs are tough to code using script. Why not partition your task so you can use an applet in conjunction with a script? Then you can incorporate the best parts of each technology. To illustrate this idea, I've put together an applet designed to work with a script. The applet simulates a pair of dice. Since that's all it does, you could use it for a variety of Web sites. The example this month is a simple craps game (see Figure 1). However, you could easily create a variety of casino games, board games, or even role-playing games. If you don't like games, you can apply the same techniques to more serious applets.