What does “Context” in “ServletContext” mean?

Question

Method getServletContextName() returns the name of the \"web application\". That means, \"ServletContext\" is nothing but \"web application\". Ok.

API defin

Answer 1

ServletContext is interface that contain a set of methods to communicate with its own servlet container.

• Context that stand as a one per web application on per jvm .

That allow servlets to gain access to the context for various parts of the server to communicate.

Life Cycle of ServletContext

1. Servlet container reads the DD (Deployment Descriptor – web.xml) and creates the name/value string pair for each when web application is getting started.
2. Container creates the new Instance of ServletContext.
3. Servlet container gives the ServletContext a reference to each name/value pair of the context init parameter.

4. Every servlet and JSP in the same web application will now has access to this ServletContext. ServletConfig vs ServletContext

   • ServletContext is available to all servlet & jsp in web application while ServletConfig will be available only specific servlet.
   • Servlet config is one per servlet and Servlet context is one per web application