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The Power of Server-Side Java
Java has traditionally been known for providing great Web client-side application support. Java is also a great platform for writing the server side of your Web-based applications. JavaServer Pages offer Web builders a very powerful way of dealing with unknown or thin client requirements. The same features that make Java an excellent platform for writing client applications make it excellent for writing server applications. Your server applications will benefit from Java's rapid development features such as type safety, absence of memory leaks and multithreading support even more than your client applications did. Additionally, the Java platform provides extensibility into the enterprise. JSP technology is a key component of the Java 2 Enterprise Edition platform. Using JSP technology, organizations are able to leverage existing Java platform expertise and create highly scalable enterprise applications.
Easy and Rapid Web Development, Deployment and Maintenance
JavaServer Pages simplify and speed the development process for developers and page authors alike. Instead of writing a Java program, page authors simply write a page using: HTML and then add the XML-like tags and, if necessary, scriptlets to tie everything together. Additionally by supporting component-based development and customized tag libraries, JSP pages not only simplify page authoring but also provide a strong foundation for a wide range of page authoring tools. Once developed, JSP pages are easy to maintain because of the separation of the application logic (typically residing within customized tag libraries or Beans) and the page design/content.
Emphasizing Reusable Components
Most JSP pages rely on reusable, cross-platform components (JavaBeans or Enterprise JavaBeansTM components) to perform the more complex processing required of the application. Developers can share and exchange components that perform common operations, or make them available to larger user or customer communities. The component-based approach speeds overall development and lets organizations leverage their existing expertise and development efforts for optimal results.
Separating Content Generation from Presentation
Using JSP technology, web page developers use HTML or XML tags to design and format the Web page. They use JSP tags or scriptlets to generate the dynamic content on the page (the content that changes according to the request, such as requested account information or the price of a specific bottle of wine). The logic that generates the content is encapsulated in tags and JavaBeans components and tied together in scriptlets, all of which are executed on the server side. If the core logic is encapsulated in tags and Beans, then other individuals, such as web masters and page designers, can edit and work with the JSP page without affecting the generation of the content. This helps authors protect their own proprietary code while ensuring complete portability for any HTML-based web browser.
Open Development and Widespread Industry Support
The JSP specification is developed under the Java Community Process. This guarantees that the specification has a broad spectrum of industry input and support. This widespread support helps to ensure that JSP technology is supported in a wide variety of Web and application servers. Additionally, the reference implementation is now developed openly under the Apache process. By working through the open process of the Apache Software Foundation, the latest JSP technology will have a world-class implementation available as soon as possible. Sun Microsystems is committed to maintaining the portability and openness of the JSP specification and development process.
Platform Independence
Java Server Pages technology delivers "Write Once, Run Anywhere" capability, offering unprecedented reuse on any platform, any server. JavaServer Pages provide a component-based, platform-independent method for building Web-based applications. Most Web and application servers are currently delivering or are about to deliver products that support the JavaServer Pages technology. This widespread, multi-platform support empowers Web developers to write their JavaServer Pages code once and run it anywhere.
Simplifying Page Development with Tags
Web page developers are not always programmers familiar with scripting languages. The JavaServer Pages technology encapsulates much of the functionality required for dynamic content generation in easy-to-use, JSP-specific XML tags. Standard JSP tags can access and instantiate JavaBeans components, set or retrieve bean attributes, download applets, and perform other functions that are otherwise more difficult and time-consuming to code. The JSP technology is extensible through the development of customized tag libraries. Over time, third-party developers and others will create their own tag libraries for common functions. This lets web page developers work with familiar tools and constructs, such as tags, to perform sophisticated functions.
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