An applet is a small program or application that performs a specific function within a larger application or software. Applets are often used in web pages to provide interactive features such as animations, games, and calculators.
Definitions
The term applet is often used interchangeably with the term mini-application or small application. It is a self-contained program that is designed to run within another program or application. Applets are typically written in Java, although other programming languages may also be used.
Origin
The term applet was first coined by Sun Microsystems in the early 1990s. It was used to describe the small Java programs that were designed to run within web browsers. The term is a combination of the words “application” and “let”, with the “let” suffix indicating that it is a small program.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of applet varies slightly in different dictionaries. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an applet is “a small program designed to run within another application”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a small program designed to perform a specific function within a larger program”.
Associations
Applets are often associated with web development and are commonly used to create interactive features on websites. They are also used in desktop applications to provide additional functionality, such as a calculator or a weather widget.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for applet include mini-application, small application, and widget.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for applet, but some antonyms for the concept of a small program within a larger program include standalone application and full-fledged application.
The same root words
The word “applet” is derived from the words “application” and “let”. Other words that share the same root include “app”, “apply”, and “appliance”.
Example Sentences
- The website uses applets to create interactive games and animations.
- The applet provides a calculator function within the larger software program.
- The developer created a new applet to add a weather widget to the desktop application.