Search code examples
javascriptnavigator

What does navigator.javaenabled() means when javascript is the language(base) supported by browser?


I was just checking navigator object and saw the javaEnabled() method. so why it's there and what is use of java when javascript is only language interpreted by browser.


Solution

  • From the specification:

    The navigator.javaEnabled() method must return true if the user agent supports a plugin that supports the MIME type "application/x-java-vm"; otherwise it must return false.

    (My emphasis).

    It is for determining if there is support for, for example, Java Applets (which require a plugin). In 2019 there usually isn't, but it was common two decades ago.