Difference between web container and web server

[rohan yadav]

Hi everyone, I am little confused with difffrence between web container and web server. Can anyone tell me diffrence between web container and web server?
Thanks everyone in advance.

[Paul Santa Maria]

Hi -

A "web server" is anything that responds to HTTP requests; ie. anything that serves web pages. Apache, Apache/Tomcat, IIS and JBoss/Tomcat are all examples of web servers.

A "web container" is a web-based, runtime environment to support J2EE components. Just as a "servlet container" (such as provided by Tomcat) is a runtime environment for Java servlets.

Having a "web container" implies having a "web server". But a "web server" need not have anything to do with web containers.

Or, more simply:

A Web application runs within a Web container of a Web server.

http://www.service-architecture.com/application-servers/articles/j2ee_web_server_or_container.html

'Hope that helps .. PSM

[Ulf Dittmer]

If you search these forums you'll find that this question gets asked a lot; it really is a FAQ. Part of the reason is that the term "web container" is not used outside of the Java world (and not much within it) so many people aren't sure what it means. I recommend not to use that term; it confuses more than it helps.

[rohan yadav]

Thanks everyone.