Difference between @Path and @WebServlet

Question

In Java EE I notice that you can specify a path to a uri either as

@Path("/SomePath")
public class MyClass

or

@WebServlet("/SomePath")
public class MyClass extends HttpServlet

I think @Path is used for non-servlet stuff while @WebServlet is used for servlets. But do they effectively serve the same purpose?

Info on @Path can be found here: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19798-01/821-1841/6nmq2cp26/index.html

But at first glance, it seems to provide some of the basic functionality as @WebServlet.

Answer 1

@Path annotation defines a path to a RESTful Web service so when you have @Path("/SomeService") it will translate into www.yourapp.com/baseRestUrl/SomeService. You can also define it on the methods which provides REST services. Note that baseRestUrl is defined inside web.xml or in class which extends Application class.

On the other hand @WebServlet("/SomePath") states that Servlet will be listening for request on the www.yourapp.com/SomePath, it is basically replacement of servlet-mapping element in web.xml. You can still configure servlets like this, it's up to you whether you prefer XML or annotation configuration.