xlet

An Xlet is a type of Java ME application designed for set‑top boxes, digital television, and other embedded or consumer electronics environments that support Java ME. It represents a lightweight, event‑driven component that runs inside an Xlet container, similar in concept to a MIDlet but targeted at TV and home entertainment devices. Xlets are defined by a standard API that allows the host environment to manage their lifecycle and resources.

The Xlet API provides a lifecycle consisting of initialization, start, pause, and destruction. A class implementing the Xlet interface (often alongside related context interfaces) is loaded by the host, which passes an XletContext to the application. The host invokes methods such as initXlet, startXlet, pauseXlet, and destroyXlet at appropriate times. The Xlet can respond to user input and system events, and it can query the environment through the XletContext. The exact behavior and allowed operations depend on the platform, but the general model emphasizes controlled startup, focus management, and graceful shutdown.

Xlets historically played a role in Java TV, MHP (Multimedia Home Platform), and other digital television standards, where device constraints and a need for robust lifecycle management shaped application design. They coexist with other Java ME application models, such as MIDlets, in ecosystems that supported different device types and usage scenarios. Over time, the prominence of Xlets declined in favor of more modern app models and platform-specific frameworks, especially on mobile devices, though legacy and some digital TV systems continue to support or reference the Xlet paradigm.

See also: Java ME, MIDlet, Java TV, MHP.