What is a Servlet in Java and how does it work?

A Servlet in Java is a Java class that is used to extend the capabilities of servers that host applications accessible through a web browser. Servlets handle request and response processing over the HTTP protocol.

When a client sends a request to a server that hosts a servlet, the servlet container processes the request and generates a response. The servlet container manages the lifecycle of the servlet, initializing it, invoking the appropriate methods to handle requests, and eventually destroying the servlet once it is no longer needed.

Servlets can be used to create dynamic web applications, handle form submissions, interact with databases, and more. They provide a powerful way to generate dynamic content on the web server and can be integrated with various Java frameworks and technologies.