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Invoking Applet Methods From JavaScript Code

JavaScript code on a web page can interact with Java applets embedded on the page. JavaScript code can perform operations such as the following:

Invoke methods on Java objects
Get and set fields in Java objects
Get and set Java array elements
Create new instances of Java objects

The LiveConnect Specification describes details about how JavaScript code communicates with Java code.

This topic explores JavaScript code to Java applet communication using the Math applet example. The MathApplet class and supporting Calculator class provide a set of public methods and variables. The JavaScript code on the web page invokes and evaluates these public members to pass data and retrieve calculated results.

Math Applet and Related Classes

Here is the source code for the MathApplet class. The getCalculator method returns a reference to the Calculator helper class.

 
package jstojava;
import java.applet.Applet;

public class MathApplet extends Applet{

    public String userName = null;
         
    public String getGreeting() {
        return "Hello " + userName;
    }
    
    public Calculator getCalculator() {
        return new Calculator();
    } 
}

The methods in the Calculator class let the user set two values, add numbers, and retrieve the numbers in a range.


package jstojava;

public class Calculator {
    private int a = 0;
    private int b = 0; // assume b > a
    
    public void setNums(int numA, int numB) {
        a = numA;
        b = numB;
    }
    
    public int add() {
        return a + b;
    }
    
    public int [] getNumInRange() {    
        int x = a;
        int len = (b - a) + 1;
        int [] range = new int [len];
        for (int i = 0; i < len; i++) {
            range[i]= x++;
            System.out.println("i: " + i + " ; range[i]: " + range[i]);
        }
        return range;
    }
}

The getDate method of the DateHelper class returns the current date.


package jstojava;
import java.util.Date;
import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;

public class DateHelper {
    
    public static String label = null;
        
    public String getDate() {
        return label + " " + new SimpleDateFormat().format(new Date());
    }

}

Deploying the Applet

Deploy the applet in a web page, AppletPage.html When deploying the applet, make sure that you specify an id for the applet. The applet id is used later to obtain a reference to the applet object.

<script src="http://www.java.com/js/deployJava.js"></script>
<script>
    <!-- applet id can be used to get a reference to the applet object -->
    var attributes = { id:'mathApplet', code:'jstojava.MathApplet',  width:1, height:1} ;
    var parameters = {jnlp_href: 'math-applet.jnlp'} ;
    deployJava.runApplet(attributes, parameters, '1.6');
</script>

Next, add some JavaScript code to the AppletPage.html web page. The JavaScript code can use the applet id as a reference to the applet object and invoke the applet's methods. In the example shown next, the JavaScript code sets the applet's public member variables, invokes public methods, and retrieves a reference to another object referenced by the applet (Calculator). The JavaScript code is able to handle primitive, array, and object return types. The JavaScript code can also invoke methods from classes or objects in other packages using the Packages keyword.

...
<script language="javascript">
    		function enterNums(){
    			var numA = prompt('Enter number \'a\'?','0');
    var numB = prompt('Enter number \'b\' (should be greater than number \'a\' ?','1');
    			// set applet's public variable
    mathApplet.userName = "John Doe";

    // invoke public applet method
    var greeting = mathApplet.getGreeting();

    // get another class referenced by applet and invoke its methods
    var calculator = mathApplet.getCalculator();
    calculator.setNums(numA, numB);

    // primitive datatype returned by applet
    var sum = calculator.add();

    // array returned by applet
    var numRange = calculator.getNumInRange();

    // "Packages" keyword; check Java console log for this message
    mathApplet.Packages.java.lang.System.out.println("Testing printing to System.out");

    // Set static field using "Packages" keyword; static methods may be similarly invoked
    mathApplet.Packages.jstojava.DateHelper.label = "Today\'s date is: ";

    // Create an instance of a class and invoke method using "Packages" keyword
    var dateHelper = new mathApplet.Packages.jstojava.DateHelper();
    var dateStr = dateHelper.getDate();

    .....
</script>

The Math applet displays the following results on the web page when the number a = 0 and b = 5:

Results of JavaScript to Java Communication

Hello John Doe

a = 0 ; b = 5

Sum: 5

Numbers in range array: [ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ]

Today's date is: 1/13/09 10:12 AM // shows current date

Open AppletPage.html in a browser to view the Math applet.

Note: If you don't see the applet running, you need to install at least the Java SE Development Kit (JDK) 6 update 10 release.

Note: If you don't see the example running, you might need to enable the JavaScript interpreter in your browser so that the Deployment Toolkit script can function properly.

Check security restrictions placed on applets invoked by JavaScript code.

Download source code for the Invoking Applet Methods From JavaScript Code example to experiment further.