The JavaTM Web Start product version 1.4.2 is
bundled with the Java 2 SDK and Java Runtime Environment (Java RE).
It is installed silently during the installation of the Java 2 SDK and Java
RE. On Microsoft Windows, look for a Java Web Start icon on your desktop.
There will also be an entry for Java Web Start in the Start --> Programs menu.
On Solaris/Linux, you can launch Java Web Start by running <jre_home>/javaws/javaws.
Overview
Java Web Start is an application-deployment technology that gives
you the power to launch full-featured applications with a single click from
your Web browser. You can now download and launch applications, such as a complete
spreadsheet program or an Internet chat client, without going through complicated
installation procedures.
Java Web Start includes the security features of the JavaTM 2 platform, so the integrity of your data and files
is never compromised. In addition, Java Web Start technology enables you to
use the latest Java 2 technology—with any browser.
With Java Web Start, you launch applications simply by clicking on a Web
page link. If the application is not present on your computer, Java Web Start
automatically downloads all necessary files. It then caches the files on your
computer so the application is always ready to be relaunched anytime you want—either
from an icon on your desktop or from the browser link. And no matter which
method you use to launch the application, the most current version of the
application is always presented to you.
Developer's Pack
The Java Web Start product for network launching of applications is
part of the Java 2 SDK. A Java Web Start Developer's Pack is available
as a separate download. See the Developer's Section of the
Java Web Start web site.
The Developer's Pack contains class libraries and documentation for use
by developers in writing and deploying their applications using Java
Web Start technology. In particular, the Developer's Pack contains
the specification and implementation of the Java Network Launching
Protocol (JNLP) API. This API enables applications to take advantage
of services not ordinarily available to applications running on the
Java 2 Platform.
In addition, the Developer's Pack contains documentation describing
how developers can package their applications in a web archive file
for efficient deployment over the net using Java Web Start technology.
Some of the documentation available in the Developer's Pack is also
accessible from the links in the Documentation section below.