href pointing to a servlet mapping or html directory of jsp files?

Hi,
Just need to clarify path issues regarding hrefs and requestdispatchers. In some of the code I'm looking at in a sample app, there are references to paths such as:

In some cases, this href in the sample application say could mean:
(1) the index.html file in a directory called catalog containing jsp pages at the top layer of the web application.
(2) or a mapping to a servlet with /catalog as a url mapping.
What I find difficult to understand is the difference between the 2 when going through an application. Can anyone let me know is this just a part of understanding the application fully or there a clear distinction between the 2. Find it very confusing here, missing something basic.

I would say that (1) is a poor practice. It's fragile and ambiguous.

Other than that, yeah, you just gotta figure out what the original developer intended.

Cheers, thanks for prompt reply.