An interpreted programming language based on C. Separate Java applications, called applets, do not have to be compiled for each different operating system. An applet will run identically and without modification in virtually any existing environment. It is the first programming language optimized for the Internet and contains inherent security features and compact code that support the development and delivery of rich content over narrowband connections.
Applets are actually hybrids of executable code and data.
Browsers like Netscape 2.0 complete the picture by running Java applets directly, without extra appendages like helper applications. This scheme renders the applets portable, compact, and interactive. Java leverages the network itself as the central computing device. In addition, Sun and Netscape have collaborated to develop JavaScript, a scripting language for writing Java code. Standard format for image storage created by this group.