HTML application

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HTML application ( HTA for short ) is a Microsoft term for computer programs that use Internet Explorer to run. These are only web applications to a limited extent, as the scripting languages ​​used, such as JScript or Visual Basic Script, are Microsoft's own techniques. The HTML applications are granted special access rights, such as access to the file system or other ActiveX objects, without the explicit permission of the user.

HTA: application element

The basis of such applications is the so-called HTA: Application element, which is supported from Internet Explorer (Version 5.0) in connection with at least a 32-bit Windows . This element is set directly in the header and determines the application based on the attributes / properties.

Application attribute

Since HTML applications generally also allow cross-site scripting , the application attribute for the HTML elements <frame> and <iframe> was introduced to protect the HTML application. Setting this attribute means that the website loaded in the frame does not get access to the HTML application and therefore cannot execute dangerous code. The page within the frame is then no longer executed in the workstation zone like the entire HTML application, but in the Internet zone of Internet Explorer that is usual for Internet pages .

Comparison with VBS

Visual Basic Script (VBS) is one of the programming languages ​​within HTA files and offers most of the options for accessing the system. This means that the possibilities and limitations of VBS also apply to HTA files. In contrast to a simple * .VBS file, the HTA file offers options for querying inputs, writing outputs and dynamically adapting the content of the HTML page via the controls of the HTML forms. Like VBS, the code in HTA files is interpreted and not compiled, so that relatively small files with a large range of functions can be created and the source code can be viewed.

See also

Web links