The differences between an applet and an application are as follows:

1. Applets can be embedded in HTML pages and downloaded over the Internet
whereas Applications have no special support in HTML for embedding or
downloading.
2. Applets can only be executed inside a java compatible container, such as a
browser or appletviewer whereas Applications are executed at command line by
java.exe or jview.exe.
3. Applets execute under strict security limitations that disallow certain
operations (sandbox model security) whereas Applications have no inherent
security restrictions.

Disadvantages of JDBC
1.JDBC is not easily if it is used in large projects. There is a big programming overhead.
2.Programmer must hardcode the Transactions and concurrency code in the application.
3.Handling the JDBC connections and properly closing the connection is also a big issue. Properly
closing the connection is must.
4.JDBC is not good for big applications
5. It is not at all good in the transaction management.