How to run Java Applets in Chrome

The Oracle Forms client is written and deployed using Java and the Java Plugin relies on the cross-platform plugin architecture NPAPI and this had been supported by Chrome (and other browsers) for over a decade. However, in view of the security concerns, Google decided to drop support for the NPAPI plugin when it released Chrome version 45 in July 2015.

Since then the Java Plugin has no longer worked and thus you have not been able to run Oracle Forms.

However, it is still possible to run Oracle Forms in Chrome using CheerpJ, a solution developed by Leaning Technologies.

What is CheerpJ?

CheerpJ is an Enterprise-grade solution to modernise and preserve access to mission-critical Oracle Forms by removing the requirement for Java on the client. It does this by converting the Java bytecode into WebAssembly and JavaScript, so it can run natively on modern browsers.

CheerpJ is available in two versions and allows organisations to either preserve accessibility to existing Oracle Forms via a Browser Extension or modernise them so that they can be integrated within HTML5 pages (including those powered by frameworks such as React and Angular).

Preserve Access to Legacy Oracle Forms

The CheerpJ Applet Runner is a browser extension for Chrome and Edge that enables you to run Oracle Forms without a Java plugin or installation. It allows you to continue using your internal or third-party Oracle Forms on modern IT architectures without the need for legacy browsers or Java on the client.

The CheerpJ Applet Runner can be used in Enterprise settings and deployed via Global Policy Objects on Edge or Chrome on Microsoft-based enterprise architectures.

How to Use the CheerpJ Applet Runner Chrome Extension

Using The CheerpJ Applet Runner is simple and free for non-commercial purposes. Install the extension, visit your Applet-based website, and enable the extension by clicking on its icon in the upper right corner of your browser.

1. Install the CheerpJ Applet Runner Chrome extension. Once installed, the extension appears as a shield icon in the Chrome toolbar.
2. When you visit a page with a Java applet, select the CheerpJ icon, then select Run Applets to enable the Java applets on the page.
3. Once enabled, you’ll see all of the applets run inside your Chrome browser as they normally should.

Migrate Oracle Forms to HTML5

With CheerpJ, Organisations with products based on Oracle Forms can migrate their applications to HTML5 or the cloud with minimal or no effort, making them accessible from Chrome and other modern browsers, without a local java installation.

CheerpJ allows a fully automated, full or partial migration of an existing Oracle Form to a browser-based web application.

Conclusion

CheerpJ allows organisations to run Oracle Forms in Chrome by preserving or modernising their legacy applications with no change to their source code. This approach works with any version of Oracle Forms (6i, 10g, 11g, or 12c), and it is also available to Organisations that rely on third-party applications.