Servlet API
The Servlet API is a Java-based framework that provides a standard interface for developing server-side web applications, allowing developers to handle HTTP requests and generate dynamic responses. It serves as the foundation for Java web technologies, enabling the creation of scalable and portable web components that run on a servlet container like Apache Tomcat or Jetty. Servlets extend the capabilities of servers by processing client requests and producing HTML, XML, or other content.
Developers should learn the Servlet API when building Java-based web applications, as it is essential for handling HTTP protocols, session management, and server-side logic in environments like enterprise systems or e-commerce platforms. It is particularly useful for creating dynamic web pages, RESTful APIs, and integrating with Java EE (now Jakarta EE) frameworks, providing low-level control over web interactions compared to higher-level abstractions. Mastery of servlets is crucial for understanding Java web development fundamentals and working with technologies like JSP and Spring MVC.