The cfapplet tag name attribute corresponds to a variable in the action page, Form.appletname, which holds any value that the applet method returns when it is executed in the cfform tag.

Not all Java applets return values. For instance, graphical widgets might not return a specific value. For this type of applet, the method field in the ColdFusion Administrator remains empty, but you must still provide a cfapplet name attribute.

You can only use one method for each applet that you register. If an applet includes more than one method that you want to access, you can register the applet with a unique name for each additional method you want to use.

Reference a Java applet return value in your application page