System using interface class in client computer to resolve references and retrieve delayed class applet from server

A method in a data processing system for receiving an applet by a client computer from a server computer, comprising the steps of:

• receiving, by the client computer, an archive file containing a first class and an interface class associated with a second class;
• executing the first class on the client computer;
• determining whether the second class is needed by the client computer;
• determining, by the client computer, whether the second class associated with the interface class is located on the client computer when it is determined that the second class is needed;
• and
• retrieving the second class from the server computer when it is determined that the second class is not located on the client computer and when it is determined that the second class is needed by the client computer.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method for sending an applet from a server computer to a client computer, the method comprising:

• receiving a first class to be delayed on the server computer, the first class being unnecessary for start-up of the applet;
• receiving an interface class for the first class, wherein the interface class provides sufficient information to resolve references found in the first class;
• creating on the server computer an archive file that represents the applet and that contains the interface class;
• and
• sending the archive file from the server computer to the client computer such that the client computer uses the interface class to resolve the references to the first class when starting the applet.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method for receiving an applet from a server computer to a client computer, the method comprising:

• receiving, by the client computer, an archive file containing a first class and an interface class associated with a second class;
• executing the first class on the client computer;
• determining whether the second class is needed by the client computer;
• determining, by the client computer, whether the second class associated with the interface class is located on the client computer when it is determined that the second class is needed;
• and
• retrieving the second class from the server computer if it is determined that the second class is not located on the client computer and it is determined that the second class is needed by the client computer.

A method in a data processing system for sending an applet from a server computer and receiving the applet by a client computer, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first class to be delayed on the server computer, the first class being unnecessary for start-up of the applet and lacking implementation code to reduce an amount of time required for sending the applet from the server computer to the client computer;
• receiving on the server computer an interface class for the delayed first class, wherein the interface class provides sufficient information to resolve references found in the first class;
• creating an archive file on the server computer comprising the interface class and a second class, the archive file representing the applet, the second class being necessary for initialization of the applet on the client computer and containing implementation code;
• sending the archive file from the server computer to the client computer;
• receiving the archive file by the client computer;
• running the applet on the client computer such that the client computer uses the interface class to resolve the references to the first class;
• and
• while the applet is running on the client computer,
• determining whether the first class is needed by the client computer;
• determining, by the client computer, whether the first class is located on the client computer when it is determined that the first class is needed;
• and
• retrieving the first class from the server computer when it is determined that the first class is not located on the client computer and when it is determined that the first class is needed by the client computer.

A system for sending an applet from a server computer to a client computer, comprising:

• means for receiving a first class to be delayed on the server computer, the first class being unnecessary for start-up of the applet;
• means for receiving an interface class for the first class, wherein the interface class provides sufficient information to resolve references found in the first class;
• means for creating on the server computer an archive file that represents the applet and that contains the interface class;
• and
• means for sending the archive file from the server computer to the client computer such that the client computer uses the interface class to resolve the references to the first class when starting the applet.