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HotJava facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

HotJava was a special kind of web browser created by a company called Sun Microsystems. Think of it like an early version of browsers you use today, such as Chrome or Firefox. What made HotJava unique was its ability to run small programs called Java applets directly inside the browser window.

It was the very first web browser to support these Java applets, which was a big deal at the time! However, HotJava is no longer available or supported today. It's a piece of internet history that showed what was possible with web technology.

What Was HotJava?

HotJava was more than just a browser; it was a demonstration of the Java programming language's power. When it first appeared, most websites were just text and simple images. Java applets allowed websites to have interactive features, animations, and even small games directly on the page without needing extra software.

How Did It Work?

HotJava was built using the Java language itself. This meant it could easily understand and run Java applets that were embedded in web pages. When you visited a website with a Java applet, HotJava would download the applet and run it securely on your computer. This was a new and exciting way to make websites more dynamic and engaging.

The Role of Java Applets

Java applets were tiny programs that could be downloaded and run by a web browser. They were used for many things, like:

  • Showing interactive charts or graphs.
  • Playing simple games.
  • Creating animated menus.
  • Building online calculators.

These applets made websites much more interactive than they had been before.

HotJava's History

HotJava was first released in 1995. It was a very important step in the early days of the internet because it showed how web pages could become more than just static documents. Even though HotJava itself is no longer used, the ideas it introduced helped shape the way we interact with the web today.

Why Is It Not Used Anymore?

Over time, other web browsers like Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer also started supporting Java applets. Later, new technologies emerged that offered similar or better ways to create interactive web content, such as JavaScript and Flash (software). As web technology evolved, HotJava became less necessary and eventually stopped being developed and supported.

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HotJava Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.