Transcript Overview of Mobile Code and VRML

eLib Technical Issues
Concertation Day:
Mobile Code and VRML
Brian Kelly
UK Web Focus
UKOLN, University of Bath, Bath
[email protected]
http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/
Contents
Mobile Code
• CGI
• Java
• ActiveX
VRML
Issues
Mobile Code
CGI Model
• Common Gateway Interface
• Run software on server
• Output (virtual or dynamic document)
delivered to client
Mobile Code
• Download code from server and run on
client computer
• Examples include Java and SafeTCL
• Security is a big issue
Java
Java is Sun’s
implementation of
mobile code:
• Security built-in (runs
on virtual machine)
• Support from major
manufacturers (Sun,
Netscape, Microsoft,
IBM, …)
• Not for the novice
programmer
http://java.sun.com:81/nav/
used/metamedia.html?
ActiveX
ActiveX is Microsoft’s implementation of mobile code:
• A framework for
integration, not a
programming
language
• Developed from
Microsoft’s OLE
desktop model
• Security based on
digital signatures
http://www.microsoft.com/activex/gallery/
ActiveX Example
ActiveX contols can
be written in Java.
Here the FutureTense Texture
ActiveX control gives
contol over the
layout, as well as
restricting
access to
the document
source
http://www.futuretense.com/texture/
gallery/Gazette/Gazette.html
VRML
VRML:
• Virtual Reality Model(l)ing Language
• Brings 3D worlds to WWW
VRML specifications:
• VRML 1.0 - Simple spec, produced
quickly. Based on SG Inventor
• VRML 2.0 - Provides interaction
• Voting on VRML 2.0 proposals, followed
by agreement
VRML Example
VRML browsers
are now bundled
in with Netscape
and Microsoft
Explorer
browsers
Further Information
Java
See also resources at
http://www.yahoo.com/
• http://java.sun.com/
• http://www.jars.com/
• http://www.gamelan.com/
ActiveX
• http://www.microsoft.com/activex/
• http://www.activex.com/
VRML
• http://vrml.wired.com/
• http://www.sdsc.edu/vrml/
Issues
Issues which WWW developers will have to
address include:
• Is VRML relevant to my project?
• Which architecture of mobile code to
use?
• Deployment of new features (e.g. Java
support, VRML support)