Reading the ContextParams by Container

[ramaseshan T]

HFSJ Pg:215, Ans for question:2

Which statements about ServletContextinitialization parameters are true?

"They Should be used for data that changes frequently"
This answer is given as incorrect with the reason

ServletContext init parameters are only read at container start-up time

For the ServletContextListener example given in chapter:5, I am able to change the param-value for breed and see it getting reflected in my webpage.(Without redeploying tomcat)

Please clarify:
1. Are the context-init parameters NOT read only once by the container?How come the changes made by me are reflected?
2. The answer for this question should be "They should be used for data that changes frequently"

[kapil munjal]

Please clarify:
1. Are the context-init parameters NOT read only once by the container?How come the changes made by me are reflected?
2. The answer for this question should be "They should be used for data that changes frequently"

The Servlet spec states that context-init parameters are read only once but different containers implement it differently. I think if we encounter this question in the exam then we should go the way it has been given HFSJ. Because the book is written by the authors of the exam.

No, the answer is correct and we should not say that they should be used for data that changed frequently. There may be other containers which donot read the values again after initialization of the application.

I hope it helps!!!

Kapil

[PNS Subramanian]

Ramaseshan - Try an earlier version of Tomcat and you would be able to appreciate the answer. Guess you are using a version that is 5.0 or above.

[ramaseshan T]

Kapil & Subramanian,

Thanks for your help!!