The HTMLEditorKit is a plug-in mechanism of different text editors that provides support to web pages with an HTML format. Within the program, are different features made available for an HTML to be modelled and of course, edited. The editing then would be the main factor affecting the design of the page. Basically, the popular HTML format is provided with a default support. This class offers default support to versions like HTML version 3.2 which is migrating towards version 4.0. Tags are provided with support just like the object tag but none for the applet tag.
One key feature for the HTMLEditorKit is its editing support through a plug-in called the JeditorPane. Modelling and editing is done through a class of HTML document which describes details regarding the model of the HTML. Still, there are some circumstances one should put into consideration for a large number of HTML documents do not coincide with the HTML requirements. Hence, these documents need to be corrected or patterned to the specifications of a default HTML document for them to be edited. Plus, it would be easier for the users if the structure is exactly the same with that of a standard HTML document
Added Features
Much more work was focused on designing the kit to be extendable. To make this possible, a few other features were included.
* First, the parser was designed to be replaceable. HTML documents have a default parser which is the Hot Java. This parser is DTD based. When the user finds it necessary or wants to replace the default parser, the getParser method should be implemented. The user needs to be aware that upon changing the default parser, some of the files will not be able to load.
* Another added feature is the ParserCallback which is driven by the active parser. This feature is readily available with the HTML document. The ParserCallBack’s main purpose is to provide an alternative HTML document reader. This feature specializes on non-HTML tags that are not supported by the default reader.
* To view the documents, a default HTML viewer is provided by the HTMLFactory class. This viewer can be easily configured to suit how the user would want it to be viewed. If the viewer can not handle the documents, an alternative viewer can be implemented using the getViewFactory method.
Built-in Enhancements
Large documents usually take a lot of time to load. As a solution, the HTMLEditorKit loads these documents, asynchronously which shortens the loading time. The loaded file can then be edited through the StyleSheet class which enables the user to configure the page to suit the user’s needs. This is fairly useful for those who have poor vision and need the text to be larger or smaller for them to read it.
Most user worries point towards the loss of data in case the HTMLEditorKit can not read them. Some of the data could be synthesized or rearranged to provide a right model if the user saved it after editing but none would be lost. Users need to understand that upon saving the document, no data will be lost whether they are recognised or not.
Original Authors: Roz
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 20/05/2009
