Testing a database without a database, or testing a Servlet without a server seems like it would be impossible....or would it?
I think what you want is JMock at
www.jmock.org
jMock is a library for testing Java code using mock objects1.
Mock objects help you design and test the interactions between the objects in your programs.
The jMock package:
* makes it quick and easy to define mock objects, so you don't break the rhythm of programming.
* lets you define flexible constraints over object interactions, reducing the brittleness of your tests.
* is easy to extend.
You can create mock objects that behave like a database connection, and test against them. As a result, you can test your code, but not really have a database connection. JMock is great.
I'm not sure how you mock out a Servlet though.
Give it a try!
-Cameron McKenzie