Instant Scriptlets

Instant DHTML Scriptlets covers the exciting and emerging world of reusable scriptlets, which are written in DHTML as reusable components-- similar in spirit to ActiveX controls. Though this is a Microsoft-specific technology, Esposito demonstrates its potential for Web developers and gives you a head start on this exciting technology.

The book begins by situating scriptlets in the world of HTML and DHTML and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0. Scriptlets are written in DHTML but are self-contained and reusable components that can be distributed and reused across projects. The author assumes basic familiarity with HTML and scripting languages VBScript and JavaScript (though an appendix lists the basics of each) and argues effectively in favor of a role for scriptlets.

Subsequent chapters show off the basics of writing simple scriptlets, including an add-on to Visual Studio 97 for a wizard to automate the creation of DHTML scriptlets. Esposito also shows how to use scriptlets inside Visual Basic projects and describes recent advances such as Microsoft's Server Scriptlets.

With backing from Microsoft, the future of scriptlets is bright, and the material in this concise and worthwhile introduction can let you decide whether scriptlets are indeed right for you. --Richard Dragan