Enthuware

Isn't "loading of the servlet class" part of the request phase (first time only, same as instantiation) ?

The specification doesn't specify exactly when "loading of the servlet class" happens. So it may happen in translation time as well.

But it clearly specifies that instantiation happens at request time:

The JSP page is translated to create a servlet class, the JSP page
implementation class, that is instantiated at request time.

HTH,
Paul.

Right, I agree about instantiation and wasn't my attempt to argue against that.
So, why "loading of a servlet class" should be considered as a correct alternative then? I think this question has only one correct alternative.

As I mentioned before, the specification doesn't specify exactly when "loading of the servlet class" happens. so it may happen in translation time as well.

That is why it is a correct option.

HTH,
Paul.