Service method in javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet

Question

Hi All,
I have a doubt in the service method of javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet
There are two service methods in the javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.
one is with protected and other is with public access specifier.
In the javadoc it is said that public service method dispatches client requests to the protected service method.
Why this type of design is required.
Instead of having a two service methods, Is it not possible to have a single service method and attain the functionality intended.
Are there any advantages by having two service methods.
I think there may be some idea/functionality behind these for having two service methods , which I am not able to understand.
Would be greatful , if someone can throw light on this .
Thanks,
Dhanasekaran.

Answer 1

This is just a theory, but here goes:
The public service() method takes arguments of ServletRequest and ServletResponse, presumably because that's the signature that the non-HTTP specific servlet engine requires.
The protected service() method of HttpServlet takes arguments of HttpServletRequest and HttpServletResponse and includes HTTP specific functions.
My guess is that the public service() method either casts the arguments to the Http objects or does work to create the Http objects before calling the protected method.