Web application and directory structure
A web application refers to a software application that runs on a web server and is accessed via a web browser over the internet or an intranet. It typically consists of dynamic web pages generated in response to user requests, often employing server-side programming languages like Java, PHP, Python, or others.
Characteristics of a Web Application
- Client-Server Architecture: Web applications operate on a client-server model, where the client (web browser) sends requests to the server, and the server processes these requests and sends back responses.
- Dynamic Content: Web applications generate content dynamically based on user input, database queries, or other external factors.
- State Management: They often maintain user session states, allowing personalized interactions and secure access to data.
- Scalability: Web applications can scale to accommodate multiple concurrent users through server-side processing and distributed computing.

Table of Contents
Directory Structure of a Java Web Application
A Java web application typically follows a specific directory structure to organize its components, resources, and configuration files. Here’s a common structure:
WebApp
├── WEB-INF
│ ├── classes
│ ├── lib
│ └── web.xml
├── META-INF
│ └── context.xml
├── css
├── js
├── images
├── JSP files
└── index.html
Explanation of Directory Structure
1. WEB-INF Directory:
- Â classes: Contains compiled Java classes (servlets, utility classes).
- Â lib: Stores JAR files required by the application (third-party libraries, frameworks).
- Â web.xml: Deployment descriptor file for configuring servlets, filters, and other settings (optional in modern Java EE with annotations).
2. META-INF Directory
  context.xml: Configuration file for defining resources, datasources, and other context-related settings (optional).
3. Static Resources
  css, js, images: Directories for storing CSS files, JavaScript files, and images used by the web application.
4. Dynamic Content
- JSP files: JavaServer Pages files that contain dynamic content mixed with HTML markup, processed by the server before sending to the client.
- index.html: Default HTML file that might redirect or include dynamic content through server-side processing.
Java Web application and directory structure
Let’s create a simple Java web application with a basic directory structure to illustrate:
1. Directory Structure:
MyWebApp
├── WEB-INF
│ ├── classes
│ ├── lib
│ └── web.xml
├── META-INF
│ └── context.xml
├── css
│ └── styles.css
├── js
│ └── scripts.js
├── images
│ └── logo.png
├── index.html
└── WEB-INF
├── classes
│ └── com
│ └── example
│ └── HelloServlet.class
├── lib
│ └── example-lib.jar
└── web.xml