JavaServer Pages[tm] - Apache Tomcat - FAQ

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JAVASERVER PAGES

1. What is Tomcat?
2. Who is contributing to Tomcat?
3. How does participation work?
4. What is Jakarta?
5. Tomcat has many different versions – what are they?
6. Where do I get the Tomcat?
7. To use Tomcat will we have to use the Apache web server?
8. Will Sun provide any other implementation of JavaServer Pages / Java Servlets?
9. How will Tomcat be licensed?
10. Will both source and binary be available?
11. Who is responsible for developing the JavaServer Pages and Java Servlets specifications?
12. How does Tomcat fit into Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE^TM platform)?
13. How do we verify the JavaServer Pages / Java Servlets code we write?

Tomcat is a free, open-source implementation of Java Servlet and JavaServer Pages technologies developed under the Jakarta project at the Apache Software Foundation. Tomcat is available for commercial use under the ASF license from the Apache web site in both binary and source versions.

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Any developer can participate in the Tomcat project. Apache, Sun, and several key industry players including IBM, Oracle, Netscape, and Symantec have already endorsed the technology and are participating in the evolution of the technology specifications.

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Any developer can participate in the Tomcat project. There are several ways to participate, from submitting code to submitting bugs to being part of the core development team. The process is based on a meritocracy.

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Jakarta is an Apache umbrella project that includes 3 subprojects related to JSP and servlet technology:

• Tomcat, a JavaServer Pages and Java Servlets implementation
• Watchdog, a JSP page and servlet validator
• Taglibs, a JSP tag library repository

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Three different versions of Tomcat are available for download: Nightly, Milestone and Release builds.

Nightly Builds are those that are very unstable (a.k.a. dynamite!). There is no guarantee of their stability and/or completeness. Nightly builds are for developers who are helping to develop the technology and want "the latest bits." Use at your own risk!

Milestone Builds are builds that are somewhat stable but not crystal-clean. There exists some confidence in them, but they are likely to be buggy and should only be used by advanced users who want to explore future product direction or take advantage of new features.

Release Builds are those that are ready for Prime Time. These releases will be reviewed by Sun's QA Team to ensure compatibility with the JavaServer Pages and Servlets specifications. Release builds are "as good as it gets!"

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Tomcat is available at the Jakarta binary downloads page.

Tomcat 3 supports the Servlet 2.2 and JSP 1.1 specifications.

Tomcat 4 supports the Servlet 2.3 and JSP 1.2 specifications.

Tomcat 5 supports the Servlet 2.4 and JSP 2.0 specifications.

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No. You can choose any web server on the market that supports JSP and Servlets (e.g. Sun ONE Web Server, IBM WebSphere, BEA Weblogic and others). We are working closely with a variety of partners to support them in quickly adding JSP and Servlet support to their web servers.

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Tomcat represents the single implementation that delivers on both JSP and Servlets.

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Tomcat is available through the Apache license.

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Yes. Both a binary and a source version are available.

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Sun owns and evolves the JavaServer Pages and Java Servlets specifications under the Java Community Process. The most recent specifications can be found at the JavaServer Pages and Java Servlet download pages.

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JavaServer Pages and Java Servlets are the web presentation layer in the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition Platform. Sun adapts and integrates the Tomcat code base into the J2EE SDK, which is available under separate licensing.

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In order to ensure compatibility, a verification program is available under the Apache license. This program, called Watchdog, allows a developer to confirm that their JSP/Servlets implementation is consistent with the specifications and will work with any other JSP/Servlets implementation.