About Java Servlets

A servlet is a platform-independent, server-side Java component used to extend the capabilities of a web server. Using servlets, you can dynamically tailor content, function, and the look and feel of your web pages. Servlets process client requests and can respond by returning any MIME type to the requesting client, including images, XML, and HTML. Servlets run inside web servers, so they do not require a graphical user interface. They are typically used to dynamically generate HTML content and present it to the requesting client. You can think of a servlet as the server-side counterpart to an applet.

Servlets are based on a standard API and protocol defined by JavaSoft. To run a servlet, your environment needs a web server that supports the JavaSoft servlet API, such as the Oracle9iAS Containers for J2EE (OC4J), JavaSoft Java Server, and Apache Tomcat, among others.

JDeveloper provides support for servlet filters and listeners (Servlet API 2.3). When you use the Create Filter wizard and Create Listener wizard, it updates the web.xml with filter and listener entries. The web.xml can also be manually edited to include or modify these entries.

For more information on Java Servlet technology and to view the Java Servlet Specification 2.3, go to this java.sun.com web page:
http://java.sun.com/products/servlet/index.html