Java Geometry Expert Goes Web: First Steps

This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a web porting of JGEX, a long-standing Java application for teaching, learning, and exploring geometry. Using CheerpJ, a tool for executing compiled Java programs directly in the browser, the porting achieves near-complete functional equivalence with the desktop version while requiring no client-side installation. This is particularly useful in restricted computing environments such as school computer laboratories, where installing software on institutional devices is often prohibited or requires administrative privileges that are difficult to obtain. Further, we examine the technical and pedagogical challenges encountered during the process of porting JGEX to the web and discuss strategies to mitigate these challenges. Overall, the present web porting shows that legacy mathematical software can be revitalized for modern, installation-free environments, which makes such tools more accessible and extends their lifespan.