The best replacement for web.xml is context.xml.

The best alternatives to web.xml are rated as following:
★★★★★  context.xml
★★★★★  server.xml
★★★★  applicationcontext.xml
★★★★  weblogic.xml
★★★  jboss-web.xml
★★★  struts.xml
★★★  web.config
★★  struts-config.xml
★★  annotations
★  application.xml
  glassfish-web.xml

Your alternative for web.xml is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about web.xml, one probably shouldn't forget about servlet mapping.

Other search terms related to web.xml and their ratings are:
★★★★★ servlet mapping
★★★ welcome file
★ spring
★ servlet
You have in mind a companion for web.xml and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

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web.xml
context.xml
server.xml