The Purpose of the init() method in a Servlet

The init() method is a crucial part of a Servlet as it is responsible for initializing the Servlet instance by performing necessary tasks before any requests are processed. This method is called only once in the life cycle of a Servlet, typically during its initialization.

Some of the tasks that can be performed within the init() method include initializing variables, establishing database connections, or loading configuration parameters. By using the init() method, developers can ensure that the Servlet is properly set up and ready to handle incoming requests.

It is important to note that the init() method is part of the Servlet life cycle, which consists of initialization, request processing, and destruction stages.

Overall, the init() method plays a critical role in setting up a Servlet and preparing it to handle client requests efficiently.