What Is the Use of Web Server in Java?
A web server is a crucial component in the architecture of any web application. It is responsible for handling incoming HTTP requests from clients and returning appropriate responses. In Java, there are several web server options available that are widely used for developing and deploying web applications.
1. Apache Tomcat
Apache Tomcat is one of the most popular open-source web servers used for Java-based web applications. It provides a lightweight and efficient servlet container that can run Java Servlets, JavaServer Pages (JSP), and JavaServer Faces (JSF) applications. Tomcat also supports WebSocket, which enables real-time communication between clients and servers.
Features of Apache Tomcat:
- Easy to install and configure
- Supports the latest Java EE specifications
- Provides a robust environment for running web applications
- Allows easy integration with other frameworks like Spring and Hibernate
2. Jetty
Jetty is another lightweight, open-source web server written in Java. It is designed to be embeddable, which means it can be included as a library in your application rather than being deployed as a standalone server. Jetty supports servlets, JSP, WebSocket, and other Java-based technologies.
Features of Jetty:
- Faster startup time compared to other servers
- Takes less memory footprint
- Scalable architecture for handling high traffic loads
- Suitable for embedded systems or cloud deployments
3. Undertow
Undertow is a high-performance web server developed by JBoss (Red Hat). It is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it suitable for microservices architectures. Undertow supports servlets, JSP, WebSocket, and other Java EE technologies.
Features of Undertow:
- Low-level API for building custom servers
- Supports non-blocking I/O for better scalability
- Integration with popular frameworks like Spring Boot
- Ability to handle large numbers of concurrent connections
4. GlassFish
GlassFish is a full-fledged Java EE application server that includes a web server component. It provides support for running enterprise-level Java applications with features like clustering, load balancing, and high availability. GlassFish supports servlets, JSP, WebSocket, and other Java EE technologies.
Features of GlassFish:
- Java EE compliance and compatibility
- Distributed architecture for scalability
- Built-in administration console for managing applications
- Supports advanced security features and authentication mechanisms
In conclusion, web servers play a crucial role in hosting and serving Java-based web applications. They provide the necessary infrastructure to handle incoming requests, process them using Java technologies like servlets and JSP, and return appropriate responses to clients. Apache Tomcat, Jetty, Undertow, and GlassFish are some popular options in the Java ecosystem that cater to different requirements based on application size, performance needs, and scalability.