java - Understanding servlet container

Question

As a UI devloper and someone with very limited Java knowledge, how do I understand what exactly is servlet container in simple terms ?

I have heard Weblogic, JBoss, etc are servlet containers, but not sure what that means exactly. Does it mean any middleware technology ?

Could you please help me.

Answer 1

A servlet is a class that you will use to receive HTTP requests as methods and reply back with stuff (usually HTML).

A servlet container is a server program which provides everything else; the opening of the socket, the transformation framework to turn HTTP into Java API calls, and a number of interfaces which allow you to plug in your servlet code.

If it were an electrical outlet, the servlet container would be the socket in the wall, and the servlet would be the plug and cord that attaches to the socket; but, Java used a 'container' analogy. The servlet container is the "bucket" you put your servlet stuff into.