Java applets - very basic question

**Arra** · 02-07-2011 03:14 AM

I'm just starting to learn java applets. I'm using IE. Every time I need to recompile the code and view the applet again to see the changes, I seem to have to both start a new browser, and delete the .class file before recompiling it (I think). I need to open a new browser; opening a new tab doesn't work. On the school computer I also had to exit the browser, but didn't have to delete the .class file.

Is there some internet option I can change to make the browser actually look for the .class file and read it again every time the page is refreshed? Or a different browser which does this automatically? I tried firefox at school and had the same problem. I guess if there's nothing to be done about it I'll try using appletviewer (if that's what it's called).

**reci** · 02-08-2011 07:07 PM

(Oh, I remember this problem a while ago, too...)

I wouldn't think you would need to delete the .class file before re-compiling it. It's doing this because the Java applet is loaded into the browser's cache when you view it. I believe if your clear the browser's cache, compile a new applet, and re-load the page, the new applet should show. CTRL+SHIFT+DEL in Firefox to clear the cache. In IE: Tools > Internet Options > Browsing History > Delete.

If this doesn't work, tough luck. Still, I don't think you have to manually delete the .class file, so that's one less thing you have to do

**Arra** · 02-08-2011 10:44 PM

Thanks. At least I know I wasn't doing something obviously wrong and others probably have the same problem. appletviewer has been working well. I guess if I need to load it in a browser again I'll tell it not to keep browsing history. The problem with going Tools > Internet Options > Browsing History > Delete every time is that it's probably about as inconvenient as starting a new browser. I'm pretty sure I was having to delete the .class file the day I made the post. Starting a new browser alone didn't do anything. But it doesn't seem to be doing that anymore so I don't know what that was about.