What is Servlet Plugins?

Servlet plugins, more accurately understood as web application plugins or extensions in the context of servlets, provide a way to dynamically extend the functionality of a web application based on the Servlet API. They allow developers to add new features, modify existing behavior, or integrate with other systems without modifying the core application. Common use cases include adding new REST endpoints, custom authentication mechanisms, or integration with third-party services. These are typically achieved by creating and deploying web application archive (WAR) files that contain servlets, filters, listeners, and other components that seamlessly integrate into the host web application.