Gen Web Generation using Java applets to call a printer or scanner

Products

• Gen - Workstation Toolset
• Gen

Issue/Introduction

Using Gen Java Web Generation clients.

To use external devices like printers and scanners custom JavaScript is used (via window HTML Control) to call required Java applets.

However, Java applets are only supported under Internet Explorer and are not supported under modern browsers like Edge and Chrome 
What is the best practice or the recommendation to call a printer and scanner from a Gen Web Generation application?

Environment

Component : Gen Run Time, Internet Client

 

Resolution

Gen Engineering best practice advice is as follows:
Printing, and especially scanning, from a web browser is a difficult subject. There aren’t any easy-button solutions that do not require applets or some form of client software to be installed locally. 
However, since printing and scanning support are not features delivered by Gen, Engineering is not really in a position to give the best practice information. In any case specifics would be needed of what is trying to be achieved with expected outcome before any advice could be given.
Overall, this request would be best handled by a services engagement and therefore the recommendation is to contact Broadcom services via your Broadcom account team.

NOTE:  Java applet support in modern browsers has been phased out due to the dropping of NPAPI (Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface) support, which is the technology required for them to work:
Wikipedia > NPAPI
Java > Java and Google Chrome Browser

Additional Information

The Web Generation runtime itself does not use browser-based Java applets: Web Generation Runtime - see "Applet-Free Approach"

Additional information which may help:

1. Microsoft Edge > Does Microsoft Edge support ActiveX controls or Browser Helper Objects like Silverlight or Java?:
   "No. Microsoft Edge doesn't support ActiveX controls or Browser Help Objects (BHOs) like Silverlight or Java. If you run web apps that use ActiveX controls, BHOs, or legacy document modes on Internet Explorer (IE) 11, you can configure them to run in IE mode on Microsoft Edge. For more information, see Microsoft Edge > What is Internet Explorer (IE) mode?"
   
   
2. It appears that Edge (Chromium) allows JavaScript in a similar way to Chrome, via "Site permissions" i.e. "Settings > Cookies and site permissions"
   
   
   
   

In addition, it may be useful to post a question on the Broadcom Gen EDGE Community to see if any other Gen Web Generation customers using Java applets have advice on the transition to modern browsers with their lack of Java applet support.