Java is a great programming language similar to "C". You can program java to do about everything from scrolling marquees, to complex mouseover functions. There are two types of java on the net; a Java applet (short for application), and Java script.

JAVA APPLETS

• A Java applet is a small program that is written in the java language and then compiled with the extension of ".class". If you go to a web page that uses a Java applet, this applet (or program) is downloaded to your computer, and then performs a function, based on the variables specified in the html page.

  For Example: My lake effect on my opening page. This effect is created by a java applet. When you go to my homepage, this applet is downloaded to your computer. It then reads the html information off my homepage to tell it what image to use as well as how big the wave effect will be. Once that info is obtained, then the effect is calculated by the applet and you see the wave effect of my logo. Pretty cool, huh.

  There are 1000's of Java applets out on the net, and if you know a little about how they work, you can get them to run on your own page. Remember that if you use an applet off of another page, make sure that it doesn't mention in the html code that the applet is copyrighted. If it is, you must obtain permission to use the applet first.

JAVA SCRIPT

• Java Script is java code written directly into your HTML and requires no special outside applet to run the function. These are nice because they are usually faster, but only high-end browsers can see the effects.

  For Example: My "MouseOver" menu bar. (If you have Netscape 3.0 or higher you know what I am talking about). My menu bar was programmed in Java Script to react to your mouse. If you hover over a selection, the button changes yellow, if you select an item, the button changes to blue. This is a cool effect, but once again, only some people can see it. If you see a stream of animated yellow lights, you are missing out on the java menu bar.

If you plan on getting into java, and putting it on your page, be conservative. Don't have 2 java scrips, 3 java applets, and 5 animated gifs running at the same time on your page. It looks plain ugly. If you like several java effects, then use a different one on each page, but don't crowd your page with them.

Because Java is a programming language there are millions of things that you can do with it, so it would be impossible to do a tutorial on it. My best suggestion is to buy a book on Java.