Small server-side programs in Java web development that handle requests and responses between web browsers and servers. They extend the functionality of web servers by processing dynamic content.
A compound of 'server' and the diminutive suffix '-let' (meaning 'small'), coined in the 1990s by Sun Microsystems during the development of Java web technologies. The '-let' suffix follows the pattern of 'applet' (small application).
Servlets revolutionized web development by providing a Java-based alternative to CGI scripts, offering better performance and memory management. The naming convention using '-let' creates a family of Java technologies: applets run in browsers, servlets run on servers, and MIDlets run on mobile devices.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.