The Web Tier

Users have benefited significantly from the increasing ability of Web-based applications to generate dynamic content customized to their needs. JavaServer Pages^TM (JSP^TM) and Java^TM Servlets are J2EE^TM technologies that support dynamic content generation in a portable, cross-platform manner. Web-based J2EE applications that use these technologies can be architected in a number of ways. Simple Web-based J2EE applications can use basic JSP pages and servlets or JSP pages with modular components. More complex transactional J2EE applications use JSP pages and modular components in conjunction with enterprise beans.

This chapter begins with a description of Web applications and Web containers. It discusses the use of the Common Gateway Interface, servlets, and JSP technology for providing dynamic and interactive content. It describes what situations require the use of servlets and when to use JSP technology and how to design the interface of a Web-based application with internationalization and localization in mind. Review of various design patterns for Web application will follow. Finally we will discuss migration strategies from Web-centric to EJB^TM technology-centric applications.

In this chapter:

• Web Applications and Web Containers
• Dynamic Content Creation
• Servlets and JSP Pages
• JSP Page Design
• Internationalization and Localization
• Application Designs
• Application Migration
• Summary
• Questions and Answers