J2EE is a platform-independent, Java-centric environment from Sun for developing, building, and deploying Web-based enterprise applications online. The J2EE platform consists of a set of services, APIs, and protocols that provide the functionality for developing multitiered, Web-based applications. The J2EE platform provides choices for graphical user interfaces across a company's intranet or on the World Wide Web. Another advantage of the J2EE platform is that the application model encapsulates the layers of functionality in specific types of components. Business logic is encapsulated in Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) components. Client interaction can be presented through plain HTML web pages, through web pages powered by applets, Java Servlets, or JavaServer Pages technology, or through stand-alone Java applications. Components communicate transparently using various standards: HTML, XML, HTTP, SSL, RMI, IIOP, and others. Clients can run on desktops, laptops, PDAs, cell phones, and other devices. Pure client-side user interfaces can use standard HTML and Java applets. Support for simple HTML means quicker prototypes, and support for a broader range of clients. Additionally, the J2EE platform supports automatic download of the Java Plug-in to add applet support where it's lacking. The J2EE platform also supports stand-alone Java application clients.