Importance

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Abstract

A browser-independent and automatic apparatus and method for receiving, installing, and launching applications from a browser is described. According to one embodiment, a helper application is registered with a browser for a specified file type. When the browser encounters a link to a metafile of the specified file type, the file is downloaded to the requesting system and the helper application is invoked to process the downloaded file. In the context of a Java.TM. implementation, the downloaded metafile comprises a short launch file specification for a Java.TM. application, and specifies a classpath as a set of Universal Resource Identifiers ('URIs'), a Java.TM. Runtime Environment ('JRE') version, security considerations, and other relevant information concerning the Java.TM. application to be executed. According to aspects of the present invention, automatic installation of Java.TM. archive files ('JAR files') and class files based on the URIs from which they are downloaded is implemented, automatic updates and versioning are supported without any central administration, and automatic installation of multiple JREs is facilitated. Embodiments of the present invention may also be used to facilitate other applications, such as launching Java.TM. applications directly from a browser without having to execute them within the browser, and to tie web contents to the appropriate corresponding viewer application.

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First Claim