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POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF JAVA
Without doubt, Java is set to transform the Internet in more ways than anyone can foresee
today. It will become the universal standard for the transfer of dynamic, executable content
over the World Wide Web. The potential applications of Java are quite diverse. Below are a
few:
Java could be used to provide stand-alone applications (for spreadsheet, wordprocessing,
graphics, CAD, etc. ) on a 'pay per use' basis. This will particularly suit the end user
who uses an application only very occasionally. In some such cases, where the application
is fairly expensive, it may work out more cost effective for the user to use the application
on such a metered basis rather than invest a substantial sum of money to buy it outright.
Java could enable such a user to simply connect to the software provider via the Internet,
download a copy of the software for temporary use and be billed for it.
Java could also provide a means by which a user can upgrade to the lastest version of an application
that they already own. The user could simply connect to the software company via the Internet,
download the latest updates and added features which Java could then integrate into the existing
copy, irrespective of the user's platform.
Java could also be used to program intelligent agents to comb the Internet for information.
The Internet today contains vast amounts of information yet one of its biggest problems
remains that of being able to find a required piece of information. Enter the intelligent agent.
An intelligent agent could be implemented in the Java language, sent out to cruise around the
Internet, hopping from one information database to another, looking for a given piece of
information. Java is ideally suited for the implementation of such an agent because of its
portability and platform-independence. The agent will be able to access different hardware
platforms running databases on different operating systems, collect data and move on to the next.
Because of the security features of Java, an environment can be provided within which such agents
can run without compromising the security of the host computer.
Java can be used to provide new capabilities to the Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML).
VRML is a file standard for building 3-dimensional worlds for the Internet. The ultimate goal is
for people to be able to interact with each other via the Web in this 3D world better known as
cyberspace. At the time of writing, the VRML is rather limited in scope in that while it is
capable of producing 3D space, the space is static - its constituent objects have no behaviour. Java can
be used to provide the interaction required to bring this static space to live by associating
applets with the different objects in the space. When the space is downloaded to a user's
desktop, the applets can then start to execute bringing the space to live.
Above are just a few of the potential uses of the Java language. It's possibilities are endless.
Only time will tell what diverse uses it will be put to.
Please send us email with your comments and details of any key Java sites.
