JavaServer Pages (JSP) is a server-side technology that creates highly interactive and flexible Web applications. In today’s economic climate, JSP is particularly compelling for businesses because it’s cost effective, with a short learning curve and plentiful open-source development and deployment options.

JSP combines HTML, which creates the basic structure of a Web page, and Java, which provides dynamic features such as pulling data from a server and presenting that data in an HTML form. JSP therefore allows you to create interactive websites and web-based applications.

This book is your guide as you begin using JSP. It starts by steering you through your first JSP application. It reviews HTML and provides you with a useful overview of JSP. You’ll then be ready to start learning one of the core techniques in JSP—pulling data from a database and working with that data. When you’ve mastered this technique, you’ll be ready to branch out powerfully into other JSP topics in this book: variables, scope, flow control, and code reuse for productive time management. Finally, the book shows you how you can use JSP with XML and gives you a taste of some advanced topics, including using Struts and the Model View Controller.

Beginning JSP 2 gives step-by-step examples to explain the techniques behind the code. It provides realistic scenarios wherever possible to build your knowledge and confidence in JSP. After reading this book, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to enter the Web development and Java development industries. All you need to begin this journey is a basic understanding of HTML and Java.

Table of contents:

Chapter 1 Creating Your First JSP Page
Chapter 2 Learning How HTML Works
Chapter 3 Introducing JSP
Chapter 4 Working with Data
Chapter 5 Making Decisions, Decisions
Chapter 6 Reusing Code
Chapter 7 Performing Time Management
Chapter 8 Using JSP and XML Together
Chapter 9 Going Behind the Scenes
Chapter 10 Implementing the Model 2 Architecture and Using Struts
Appendix A JSP Syntax Reference
Appendix B JSP Implicit Objects
Appendix C XML Configuration Files
Appendix D Getting More Information