Glossary

bytecode

Machine-independent code generated by the Java compiler and executed by the Java interpreter.

cookie

Data created by a Web server that is stored on the user's computer, providing a method for the Web site to keep track of a user's preferences and store them on the user's own hard disk.

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol. A request-response protocol used to connect to servers on the World Wide Web and transmit HTML pages to client browsers.

input stream object

An object, defined by the ServletInputStream class, that the servlet uses to read requests from a client.

mapping

A pairing of a servlet instance with an URL to which the servlet returns data, for example, HelloServlet with /hello/index.html.

output stream object

An object, defined by the ServletOutputStream class, that a servlet uses to return data to the client.

request dispatcher object

An object defined by the RequestDispatcher interface that receives requests from the client and sends them to any resource (such as a servlet, CGI script, HTML file, or JSP file) available on the Web server.

sandboxed servlet

A servlet that runs with security restrictions.

servlet

A small, platform-independent Java program without a graphical user interface that can extend the functionality of a Web server in a number of ways.

servlet configuration object

An object, defined by the ServletConfig interface, that configures a servlet

servlet context object

An object, defined by the ServletContext interface, that gives the servlet information about the servlet engine.

servlet engine

An environment written by a Web server vendor in accordance with this specification that allows servlets to run with a particular Web server.

servlet request object

An object defined by the ServletRequest interface and that allows a servlet to obtain data about a client request.

servlet response object

An object, defined by the ServletResponse interface, that allows a servlet to respond

servlet runner

The sun.servlet.http.HttpServer process in the Java Servlet Developer's Kit (JSDK), which allows servlets to run.

session tracking

In a Web application, the ability to identify a series of unique requests from a client as being from the same client

SSL

Secure Sockets Layer. A security protocol used on the Internet that specifies how the client browser and server exchange keys and encrypted data.

URI

Uniform Resource Identifier. A definition for an Internet address that is a superset of an URL.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator. The address that defines the route to a file on the World Wide Web, usually consisting of a protocol prefix, domain name, subdirectory name, and file name.