What is the alternatives for Java Applet to launch client programs using Chrome browsers?

Question

I am working in a web application using ASP.net and C#.

My target is to check on a desktop application on the client machine .. If it was exist then I should launch it. Else if it wasn't exist, we should download, install and then launch it.

I could develop this module using Java Applet but unfortunately, Google decided to disable NPAPI in September 2015, So the applet will not working on Chrome.

My question is about the Applet alternatives to help me implementing the above scenario ?

Answer 1

The only (semi) viable option as far as I can see, is to offer the Chrome user a link to a JNLP file for a desktop application. Then when/if the JWS desktop application starts, have it report back to the server 'loaded OK' and then 'target app. installed/not installed'.

On your server, have a time out for waiting on the client to report back. If it passes that time, presume the client machine does not support Java at all and the user is checking some web service to try and figure out what app. opens a JNLP!