Web Page Configuration

The Web Page Configuration utility (Javxpagegen.pvs) is an easy-to-use ProvideX program for creating web content to run JavX as an applet.

 

Typically, JavX is deployed as a Java applet that runs in a web browser. Deploying JavX as an applet means that JavX is not installed permanently on the workstation. Instead, it is served up as a Java applet from a web server. Because most browsers cache the Java applets for re-use, the client workstation does not need to download JavX each time the user accesses the server's web page. However, the web content required to configure this can be complex. The HTML (and sometimes JavaScript) that embeds JavX on a web page is dependent on several components, including the browser, operating system, Java Runtime Environment (JRE) as well as the JavX configuration present on the client machine.

 

The Javxpagegen program automates the web page generation so that ProvideX developers can use JavX without having to write their own HTML or JavaScript. If you wish to better understand the HTML and Script applets used in the process, refer to the JavX documentation. For further information, Sun’s Java website has many pages on embedding Applets: http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/1.2/docs/tags.html  and http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/versions.html .

 

Applets and HTML

The Javxpagegen program uses *web/merge to add the appropriate HTML tags and JavaScript to a provided template web page.

 

Using the Web Page Configuration Utility

The Javxpagegen program is simple to use. There is main window divided into two tabbed panels, one for Browser Settings and the other for Optional Parameters. The Image below illustrates the Web Page Configuration. Most of the fields are described briefly by a floating tip.

 

 

 

Mandatory Arguments to Pass JavX

 

Input Web Page Template -Enter the path to the web page on which you wish to embed the JavX.jar. The template web page can be any HTML page, simply add “~~JavX$?A~~” to the file where JavX should appear on the page. There is a simple HTML page provided javxtmpl.txt. If you are building web pages with an HTML editor like MS FrontPage simply add the text “~~JavX$?A~~” on the page where JavX should appear, then when you are done editing the page enter the path to it in this field.

 

Output Web Page Name -Enter the path and name of the desired new web page which will contain the JavX Applet.

 

Server Name -Either the IP address or Domain Name of the host system where *nthost or the ProvideX Application Server is running. (The web server and ProvideX host must be running on the same machine)

 

Socket Number -TCP/IP Socket Number that *nthost or the ProvideX Application Server is monitoring.

 

Browsers Settings Tab – Select the combination of Browsers and OSs to support. Older Browsers and JRE’s require different HTML tags (see the JavX documentation for details). The generated web page will support only the Browsers selected. Select either of the first two check boxes to support any Browser and OS. If the first check box is selected JavaScript will be added to the page, if the second check box is selected a JRE of 1.4 or later is required on the client machine. If the client machine does not have a valid JRE installed, the download and installation of a JRE will be seamlessly integrated into the loading and running of the JavX.jar. The JRE, like the JavX.jar, is a one time only download. The Java Plug-in will be downloaded from the URL provided in the Download Location of JRE  field. JavX requires a Java 2 or later JRE (see the JavX documentation for details on the Java Plug-in )

 

Optional Parameters Tab –These fields are used to configure the JavX session. They generate the “args” string which is passed to the JavX Applet’s lead class at runtime (see the JavX documentation  for details on the args string). The two most important of the optional arguments are Embed on Applet and Application Server. If Embed on Applet is selected, the JavX session’s main window will run directly on the web browser window. If Embed on Applet is not selected, a new window will open on top of the web browser, see images below:

 

 

          

Embed on Applet selected                                  Embed on Applet not selected   

 

When Application Server is selected, the ProvideX host must be the ProvideX Application Server and not Nthost. JavX uses a different protocol to establish a connection with the ProvideX Application Server. The ProvideX Application Server supports Secure Sockets (SSL), JavX can encrypt communication when Application Server is selected.

 

Build Page button - This button takes all of the above selections and generates a web page containing the JavX Applet.