Java Servlets is a new form of scripting that is gaining popularity because it allows portable server extensions that do not rely on starting external binaries. Servlets are written in Java and compiled to Java byte code before they can be used in a web server.

In Challenger, Servlets are supported through the Java servlet bridge module, which transforms a Servlet into a Location Module. The Java servlet bridge module can have any number of copies, so any number of Servlets can be installed on a single virtual server.

To run the Servlet support you need a Pike that has been compiled with Java support. The binary versions of Challenger are not compiled for Java support. To compile a Pike with Java support you have to install JDK 1.2 and then compile Pike. Pike's Java module should detect the Java environment automatically.

Java servlet bridge

Class name

The name of the Java class implementing the Servlet. The module will look for the corresponding .class file in the Code directory (see below).

Code directory

The location of the .class files for this Servlet in the real file system. The path is relative to the server directory. Multiple Servlets can reside in the same code directory, as long as they have unique class names.

Parameters

Servlet-specific parameters can be set here, see the documentation of the Servlet in question to find out what parameters it supports. Each parameter must be placed on a separate line, with the name and the value separated with an equal (=) sign.

Servlet location

This Servlet's location in the virtual file system. Any URL starting with this prefix will be handled by this Servlet. The rest of the URL will be provided to the Servlet as "Path Info".