Applets

WeBWorK Applet interface

This page describes a common interface between WeBWorK questions and Java, Flash and Geogebra applets.

Applets should respond when called by these functions

1. getXML() - the WW question is asking for an XML description of the applet's state. The description is text -- it is not base64 encoded. The XML description of the applet state should be suitable for use in setXML
2. setXML(state) - the applet receives an XML description string to reset the applet's state. The description is text -- it is not base64 encoded.
3. setConfig(configuration) - the WeBWorK is sending an initial configuration for the applet. The description is text -- it is not base64 encoded.
4. getAnswer() -- the applet responds with a string simulating an answer entered by the student. This is typically called when the submit button is pressed.
5. isActive() - a 1 or "true" response by the applet indicates that the applet is loaded, initialized and ready to go.
6. debug() - set when the applet is called from WW. If debug=1 the WW question is in debug mode and if the applet has the ability to issue extra error messages these should be turned on. If debug=0 then these error messages should be turned off.

Demos

Demos of applets can be found at

http://hosted2.webwork.rochester.edu/webwork2/wikiExamples/PointAndGraph_AppletDemos (login as guest)

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Demos of bleeding edge development of apples can be observed at

http://hosted2.webwork.rochester.edu/webwork2/applet_dev (login as guest)

Not all of these applets will be functional

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A comprehensive example of how to construct a GeoGebra applet, include it in a WeBWorK PG file, and have WeBWorK set parameters in the GeoGebra applet is now available in the WeBWorK Problem Techniques authoring section Applets in WeBWorK (as of Nov. 7, 2010)

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Additional documentation

More specialized pages about applets can be found at at JavaApplets, FlashApplets and GeogebraApplets

POD documentation can be found at: http://webwork.maa.org/doc/cvs/pg_CURRENT/lib/Applet.html,

at http://webwork.maa.org/doc/cvs/pg_CURRENT/macros/AppletObjects.pl.html

and the javaScript glue can be found at http://hosted2.webwork.rochester.edu/webwork2_files/js/ww_applet_support.js

The interface is still being tweaked and so expect minor changes to continue along with significant new features.

Request additional features from the FlashObject working group:

http://webwork.maa.org/wiki/AIM07/Working_Groups