About this tutorial

What is this tutorial about?

This tutorial introduces the fundamentals of JavaServer Pages (JSP) technology 2.0 and provides an update to the original tutorial written by Noel J. Bergman that discussed JSP 1.2. This tutorial will give you a solid grasp of JSP basics and enable you to start writing your own JSP solutions. In particular, this tutorial will:

• Discuss the fundamental elements that define JSP, such as concepts, syntax, and semantics.
• Identify and exemplify each element.
• Use short, specific, topical examples to illustrate each element and clearly illuminate important issues related to that element.

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Should I take this tutorial?

This is an introductory tutorial intended for new or novice JSP programmers who have a solid grasp of Java programming and HTML. The emphasis is on simple explanations, rather than exhaustive coverage of every option. If you're a JSP expert, this tutorial is probably not for you. However, it will serve as a reference for knowledgeable developers wishing to shift to JSP 2.0 from earlier versions.

Note that this tutorial is strictly an overview of the JSP syntax and semantics; it does not address programming style.

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Web container requirements

The JSP 2.0 specification requires J2SE 1.3 or later for stand-alone containers and version 1.4 for containers that are part of a J2EE 1.4 environment. To get started with JSP 2.0, the Web container must also support the Java Servlet 2.4 specification. All JSP containers must be able to run in a J2SE 1.4 environment.

Also, the JSP 2.0 specification uses the Servlet 2.4 specification for its Web semantics.

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Table of contents

• About this tutorial
• JSP overview
• JSP syntax
• Template content
• Directives
• Declarations
• Expressions
• Scriptlets
• Error handling
• JSP configuration
• Implicit objects
• Objects and scopes
• Expression language
• Actions
• Tag files
• Alternative technologies
• Wrap up
• Resources
• About the authors

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Next steps from IBM

Rational Application Developer provides a comprehensive Integrated Development Environment (IDE) used to develop Web 2.0 applications requiring J2EE, Servlets and JavaServer Pages (JSPs).

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• Tutorial: Take a look at developing a J2EE Web application and JavaServer Pages (JSPs) for both an HTML input form and the HTML output from the server, using Rational Application Developer.
• Demo: This demo highlights the enhanced Web 2.0, rich Internet application development features in Rational Application Developer including AJAX and Java Persistence API application development.
• Buy: Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software

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