Explain the difference between filters and interceptors in request processing.

Filters and Interceptors are mechanisms for processing requests and responses, but they differ in purpose and operation.

• Filters are typically used for pre-processing requests and/or post-processing responses. They can modify or block requests, add headers, log data, etc. Filters are often used in web frameworks (e.g., Servlet Filters in Java EE).

• Interceptors operate at a higher level of abstraction and allow intervention in the lifecycle of a method call or request. They can perform actions before and after method invocation, modify parameters, results, or handle exceptions. In Java, this is often used in AOP (Aspect-Oriented Programming) or in JAX-RS.

Example of differences:

• A filter can check authorization and block a request before it reaches the controller.
• An interceptor can log the execution time of a controller method or modify the returned value.

Thus, filters work at the level of HTTP requests and responses, while interceptors operate at the level of method calls and business logic.