A plug-in is an application that extends the built-in capabilities of a Web browser. Plug-ins allow you to view, play, hear, modify or execute a file over the Internet inside the browser without opening and running it under a separate application. For definition of related terms, refer to "Overview of Terms".
Acucorp's plug-in is a special 32-bit version of the ACUCOBOL-GT runtime. It takes your existing COBOL applications and quickly makes them accessible via any Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT-based browser that supports Netscape plug-ins, including Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Because it works with existing applications, the plug-in is an easy way for you to deploy your applications on the Internet or in an intranet or extranet. Perhaps your corporation has employees or distributors dispersed throughout a region. The ACUCOBOL-GT Web Plug-in can give these remote users access to sales and inventory applications, and the ability to read and write data across the Internet.
Note that the ACUCOBOL-GT plug-in executes COBOL objects inside the user's Web browser. Because your main application window is embedded inside the browser window, it cannot have the main window menu bar to which you may be accustomed. (This is a Microsoft child window restriction.) However, you can program your application's menu functions to be accessed from a toolbar or a pop-up menu using the right mouse button. In addition, all of the ordinary functions of the browser menu are still available to your user. Your application will also have access to library routines that can be used to communicate with the browser. In essence, the plug-in gives end users both the functionality of the COBOL program and the functionality of the Web browser in which it runs. It also gives users ongoing access to the most current version of your software.
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