In the early stages of the project in
1997, it was decided that the only way to have a powerful
graphical user interface meeting all user requirements was to opt
for a Java application or `applet' rather than the standard approach
based on `cgi-bin' scripts. As a consequence of this, IDA offers
one of the most powerful
archive interfaces.
ISO Handbook Volume I (GEN), Version 2.0, SAI/2000-035/Dc