The RealPlayer is also ideal for the broadcast of real-time events. These may include press conferences, live radio and television broadcasts, concerts, etc. Shockwave allows for the creation and implementation of an entire multimedia display combining graphics, animation and sound. Sound files, including music, may also be heard on the Web. It is not uncommon to visit a Web page and hear background music.
Sound files are also available for downloading independent of Web page visits.
Sound files of many types are supported by the Web with the appropriate plug-ins. The MP3 file format, and the choice of supporting plug-ins, is the latest music trend to sweep the Web. The use of existing and new programming languages have extended the capabilities of the Web. Many of the newer languages are in flux, and will experience major changes in the coming months. What follows is a basic guide to a group of the more common languages and functions in use on the Web today.