Technical Notes

Servlet Methods Overview Overview of Servlet Methods A Generic servlet contains the following five methods: init() public void init(ServletConfig config) throws ServletException The init() method is called only once by the servlet container throughout the life of a servlet. This method allows the servlet to initialize and be placed into service. The servlet cannot be put into service if: The init() method does not return within a fixed time set by the web server. It throws a ServletException. Parameters: The init() method takes a ServletConfig object containing initialization parameters and servlet configuration and throws a ServletException if an exception occurs. service() public void service(ServletRequest req, ServletResponse res) throws ServletExceptio

Understanding Servlets Servlets are server-side components that provide a powerful mechanism for developing server-side programs. They offer component-based, platform-independent methods for building web-based applications, without the performance limitations of CGI programs. Unlike proprietary server extension mechanisms (such as the Netscape Server API or Apache modules), servlets are server- and platform-independent. Benefits of Using Servlets This flexibility allows developers to select a "best of breed" strategy for their servers, platforms, and tools. By using servlets, web developers can create fast and efficient server-side applications that can run on any servlet-enabled web server. Since servlets run entirely inside the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), they are not dependent on browser compatibility. Servlets can access the entire family of Java APIs, includi