# Class HttpContext

java.lang.Object
com.sun.net.httpserver.HttpContext

public abstract class HttpContext extends Object
`HttpContext` represents a mapping between the root `URI` path of an application to a `HttpHandler` which is invoked to handle requests destined for that path on the associated `HttpServer` or `HttpsServer`.

`HttpContext` instances are created by the create methods in `HttpServer` and `HttpsServer`.

A chain of `Filter` objects can be added to a `HttpContext`. All exchanges processed by the context can be pre- and post-processed by each `Filter` in the chain.

Since:
  1.6

- ## Constructor Summary

  Constructors
  Modifier
  Constructor
  Description
  `protected`
  `HttpContext()`
  Constructor for subclasses to call.

- ## Method Summary

  Modifier and Type
  Method
  Description
  `abstract Map<String,Object>`
  `getAttributes()`
  Returns a mutable `Map`, which can be used to pass configuration and other data to `Filter` modules and to the context's exchange handler.
  `abstract Authenticator`
  `getAuthenticator()`
  Returns the currently set `Authenticator` for this context if one exists.
  `abstract List<Filter>`
  `getFilters()`
  Returns this context's `List` of filters.
  `abstract HttpHandler`
  `getHandler()`
  Returns the handler for this context.
  `abstract String`
  `getPath()`
  Returns the path this context was created with.
  `abstract HttpServer`
  `getServer()`
  Returns the server this context was created with.
  `abstract Authenticator`
  `setAuthenticator(Authenticator auth)`
  Sets the `Authenticator` for this `HttpContext`.
  `abstract void`
  `setHandler(HttpHandler handler)`
  Sets the handler for this context, if not already set.

  ### Methods declared in class Object

  `clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

- ## Constructor Details

  - ### HttpContext

    protected HttpContext()
    Constructor for subclasses to call.

- ## Method Details

  - ### getHandler

    public abstract HttpHandler getHandler()
    Returns the handler for this context.
    Returns:
      the `HttpHandler` for this context

  - ### setHandler

    public abstract void setHandler(HttpHandler handler)
    Sets the handler for this context, if not already set.
    Parameters:
      `handler` - the handler to set for this context
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if the context for this handler is already set.
      `NullPointerException` - if handler is `null`

  - ### getPath

    public abstract String getPath()
    Returns the path this context was created with.
    Returns:
      the context of this path

  - ### getServer

    public abstract HttpServer getServer()
    Returns the server this context was created with.
    Returns:
      the context of this server

  - ### getAttributes

    public abstract Map<String,Object> getAttributes()
    Returns a mutable `Map`, which can be used to pass configuration and other data to `Filter` modules and to the context's exchange handler.

    Every attribute stored in this `Map` will be visible to every `HttpExchange` processed by this context.

    Returns:
      a `Map` containing the attributes of this context

  - ### getFilters

    public abstract List<Filter> getFilters()
    Returns this context's `List` of filters. This is the actual list used by the server when dispatching requests so modifications to this list immediately affect the handling of exchanges.
    Returns:
      a `List` containing the filters of this context

  - ### setAuthenticator

    public abstract Authenticator setAuthenticator(Authenticator auth)
    Sets the `Authenticator` for this `HttpContext`. Once an authenticator is established on a context, all client requests must be authenticated, and the given object will be invoked to validate each request. Each call to this method replaces any previous value set.
    Parameters:
      `auth` - the `Authenticator` to set. If `null` then any previously set `Authenticator` is removed, and client authentication will no longer be required.
    Returns:
      the previous `Authenticator`, if any set, or `null` otherwise.

  - ### getAuthenticator

    public abstract Authenticator getAuthenticator()
    Returns the currently set `Authenticator` for this context if one exists.
    Returns:
      this HttpContext's `Authenticator`, or `null` if none is set