Java j2EE Interview Question: Difference between HttpSession and Session in Java EE

In Java EE, HttpSession and Session are two important concepts used for managing user sessions in web applications. Understanding the difference between them is crucial for efficient session management.

HttpSession:

HttpSession is a Java EE interface that provides a way to identify a user across multiple requests. It is typically used to store user-specific information on the server side.

Session:

Session, on the other hand, is a generic term that refers to the concept of maintaining stateful information between a client and server. In the context of Java EE, Session can refer to different types of sessions, including HttpSession, WebSocket sessions, and EJB sessions.

Differences:

• HttpSession is specifically used for HTTP-based web applications, while Session is a broader concept that can encompass various types of sessions.
• HttpSession is tied to the HTTP protocol and provides a way to maintain user sessions in web applications, while Session is a more generic term that can refer to different types of sessions in Java EE.
• HttpSession is typically managed by the servlet container and can be used to store user-specific data, while Session can refer to a more abstract concept of maintaining stateful information.

Understanding the differences between HttpSession and Session is important for Java j2EE developers when designing and implementing session management in web applications.