Build a Simple Java Web App with JSP and Servlets

Last Updated on November 28, 2023

Introduction

Today, we will dive into the world of Java web app development using JSP and Servlets.

So, what exactly is a Java web app? In simple terms, it’s a web application built using the Java programming language.

Learning JSP (JavaServer Pages) and Servlets is crucial for web development.

These technologies provide the backbone for dynamic web pages.

JSP allows you to embed Java code within HTML, making it easier to create dynamic content.

Servlets, on the other hand, handle the logic behind HTTP requests and responses.

They manage the flow of data between the client and the server.

By learning JSP and Servlets, you gain the ability to build interactive and responsive web applications.

Whether you want to create a personal website or work on enterprise-level projects, JSP and Servlets are essential tools to master.

In this section, we will explore the fundamentals of JSP and Servlets, step-by-step, to help you get started on your web development journey.

So, buckle up, and let’s dive deep into the exciting world of Java web app development!

Overview of JSP and Servlets

JSP (JavaServer Pages) and Servlets are key components in Java web app development.

They play essential roles in creating dynamic web pages and handling requests from clients.

In this section, we will provide an overview of JSP and Servlets and explain how they contribute to building web applications.

• JSP (JavaServer Pages): JSP is a technology used for developing dynamic web pages. It enables the integration of Java code within HTML pages to generate dynamic content. JSPs are compiled into servlets before being processed by the server.
  
  
• Servlets: Servlets are Java classes used for server-side web development. They receive and respond to client requests, providing dynamic content generation. Servlets operate on the server-side, enhancing the capabilities for web application development.

JSP (JavaServer Pages)

• Combining HTML and Java: JSP allows developers to embed Java code within HTML pages. This lets us create dynamic content based on client input or application logic.
  
  
• JSP tags: JSP tags provide a set of predefined actions and directives for common web development tasks. Tags can be used to control the flow of logic, include external files, or handle database operations.
  
  
• Dynamic content: JSP enables the creation of dynamic web pages that can change based on user input or server-side data. It simplifies the process of generating HTML output with the help of Java code.

Their role in Java web app development:

• Handling user requests: Servlets act as the intermediaries between a user’s requests and the server’s responses. They receive incoming requests, process them, and generate corresponding responses.
  
  
• Server-side processing: JSP and Servlets run on the server-side, executing complex business logic and interacting with databases. This allows for efficient application processing, reducing the load on client-side devices.
  
  
• Dynamic content generation: JSP and Servlets enable dynamic content creation, allowing personalized responses based on user data. They can retrieve data from databases, process it, and generate dynamic HTML pages for clients.
  
  
• Scalability and reusability: JSP and Servlets support modular development, making code reusable and easily maintainable. They facilitate the creation of scalable web applications, handling numerous concurrent user requests.

Therefore, JSP and Servlets are integral components in Java web app development.

JSP allows the combination of Java and HTML, enabling dynamic content generation, while Servlets handle user requests and server-side processing.

Together, they provide the necessary tools for building powerful and scalable web applications.

Read: Java Coding Practice: Projects for Intermediates

Setting up the development environment

This section, gives a step by step guide to install and configure tools for setting up development environment.

Mention the required tools

Java Development Kit, Eclipse IDE, Apache Tomcat.

Step-by-step guide to install and configure the tools

Install Java Development Kit (JDK) by downloading and running the installer.

Set the JAVA_HOME environment variable to the JDK installation directory.

Download Eclipse IDE and extract it to a preferred location on your system.

Launch Eclipse IDE and select a workspace directory to store your projects.

Install the Eclipse Web Tools Platform (WTP) by navigating to Help – Eclipse Marketplace.

Search for “Eclipse Web Developer Tools” and click Install.

Download Apache Tomcat from the official website and extract it to a desired location.

In Eclipse, click on the Servers tab to open the Servers view.

Click on “No servers are available. Click this link to create a new server” and select Tomcat v9.0 Server.

Provide the Tomcat installation directory and click Finish.

Create a new Dynamic Web Project in Eclipse by navigating to File – New – Dynamic Web Project.

Specify a project name, select the targeted runtime as Apache Tomcat, and click Finish.

Create a new JSP file by right-clicking on the project, selecting New – JSP File, and providing a file name.

Write the desired JSP code and save the file.

Create a new Servlet class by right-clicking on the project, selecting New – Class, and providing a class name.

Add the necessary import statements for the Servlet API.

Extend the HttpServlet class and override the doGet() or doPost() method.

Implement the desired functionality within the doGet() or doPost() method.

Configure the Servlet mapping in the web.xml file located in the WebContent/WEB-INF directory.

Run the application on the Apache Tomcat server by right-clicking on the project, selecting Run As – Run on Server.

Select the configured Apache Tomcat server and click Finish.

By following these steps, you can easily set up the development environment for building a Java web app with JSP and Servlets.

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Creating a new Java web app project

Creating a new Java web app project involves opening Eclipse IDE and creating a new dynamic web project.

Setting up the project structure and dependencies is essential for the development process.

To start building a simple Java web app, we need to create a new Java web app project.

This can be done by opening the Eclipse IDE and creating a new dynamic web project.

1. Opening Eclipse IDE and creating a new dynamic web project

Launch the Eclipse IDE on your computer.

Go to the File menu and select New, then click on Dynamic Web Project.

Enter the desired project name and click Next.

Choose the desired target runtime (e.g., Apache Tomcat) and click Next.

Configure the project settings such as the context root and content directory, then click Finish.

2. Setting up the project structure and dependencies

The project structure is crucial for organizing your files and resources.

Here’s an example of a typical structure:

• src: contains Java source code files.
  
  
• WebContent:
  
  
• WEB-INF:
  
  
• lib: stores external Java libraries (JAR files).
  
  
• zweb.xml: the web app deployment descriptor file.

To add dependencies to your Java web app project:

• Right-click on the project in the Package Explorer and select Properties.
  
  
• Navigate to Java Build Path, then click on the Libraries tab.
  
  
• Click on Add External JARs or Add Library and select the required JAR files or libraries.
  
  
• Click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Additionally, you can also use a build automation tool like Maven or Gradle to manage your project dependencies.

These tools can be integrated into your project and simplify the process of adding and managing dependencies.

Once the project structure and dependencies are set up, you can start developing your Java web app using JSP (JavaServer Pages) and Servlets.

JSP allows you to write dynamic web pages, while Servlets handle the backend logic of your web app.

Therefore, creating a new Java web app project involves opening Eclipse IDE and creating a dynamic web project.

Setting up the project structure and dependencies is crucial for efficient development.

By following these steps, you can start building your own simple Java web app using JSP and Servlets.

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Creating the home page

In order to build a simple Java web app, one of the first steps is to create the home page, also known as index.jsp.

This page will serve as the main entry point for users accessing the application.

JSP syntax and structure

Before diving into the creation of the home page, it’s important to understand the syntax and structure of JSP (JavaServer Pages).

JSP allows us to embed dynamic Java code within HTML pages.

This is done by using special tags: <% and %>. Anything enclosed within these tags is treated as Java code.

Building the basic layout

Now let’s focus on building the basic layout of the home page using HTML and JSP tags.

The structure of the page will consist of HTML markup for the static elements and JSP tags for the dynamic content.

First, we need to define the HTML structure of the page.

This involves using HTML tags like ,,, and. Inside thetag, we can add a header, main content area, and footer using andtags respectively.

Next, we can incorporate JSP tags to display dynamic content.

For example, if we want to greet the user with their username, we can use the JSP code to retrieve the username from the database and display it using HTML tags

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Handling user input with Servlets

In order to handle user input with Servlets, we need to create a Servlet that can process form submissions.

Creating a Servlet to handle form submissions

First, we need to create a class that extends the HttpServlet class.

This class will handle the HTTP POST requests that are sent when a form is submitted.

Next, we need to override the doPost() method of the HttpServlet class.

Inside this method, we can retrieve the user input from the request.

To retrieve the user input, we can use the getParameter() method of the HttpServletRequest class.

This method takes the name of the form input as a parameter and returns the value entered by the user.

For example, if we have a form with an input field named “name”, we can retrieve the value entered by the user using the following code:

String name = request.getParameter("name");

Once we have retrieved the user input, we can then process it according to our requirements.

We can perform validations, store it in a database, or perform any other necessary tasks.

Retrieving and Processing User Input from the Request

To retrieve and process user input from the request, we can follow the steps mentioned above.

We can retrieve multiple form inputs by calling the getParameter() method with the respective input names.

For example, if we have a form with inputs for both name and email, we can retrieve their values using the following code:

String name = request.getParameter("name");
String email = request.getParameter("email");

After retrieving the user input, we can then process it as required.

We can perform validations on the input, such as checking if the email is valid or if the name is not empty.

If the input is valid, we can store it in a database or perform any other necessary tasks.

If the input is invalid, we can display an error message to the user.

By handling user input with Servlets, we can create dynamic web applications that can interact with users and process their input.

Servlets provide a powerful way to handle form submissions and retrieve and process user input.

Their ability to handle HTTP requests and generate responses allows us to create robust and interactive web applications.

Therefore, handling user input with Servlets is essential when building Java web applications.

By creating a Servlet to handle form submissions and retrieving and processing user input from the request, we can create powerful and interactive web applications that meet our requirements.

Displaying dynamic content with JSP

In this section, we will explore how to display dynamic content with JSP in a Java web application.

One of the key features of JSP is its ability to dynamically generate HTML content.

This makes it easier to create dynamic web pages that can display different data based on user input or other factors.

Passing data from Servlet to JSP

To pass data from a Java Servlet to a JSP page, we can use request.setAttribute() method.

This allows us to set attributes in the request object which can then be accessed in the JSP page using JSP Expression Language (EL) syntax.

For example, in the Servlet, we can set an attribute like this:

request.setAttribute("message", "Hello, World!");

Then in the JSP page, we can retrieve the attribute value and display it:

${message}

Using JSP tags to display dynamic content on web pages

Using JSP tags is another way to display dynamic content on web pages.

JSP provides various built-in tags that can be used to perform common tasks like iteration, conditionals, and more.

For example, the “ tag can be used to iterate over a collection and display its elements:

${fruit}

In this example, the JSP page expects a collection called “fruits” to be set as an attribute in the request object.

The “ tag then iterates over each element of the collection and displays it inside a paragraph tag.

JSP tags can also be used to conditionally display content.

The “ tag allows us to check a condition and display content based on the result.

Welcome, ${username}!

In this example, the JSP page expects a boolean attribute called “loggedIn” to be set in the request object.

If the condition is true, it displays a welcome message along with the value of the “username” attribute.

By using JSP and its features like passing data from Servlets, using JSP tags, and JSP Expression Language, we can easily create dynamic web pages that display content based on various conditions and user input.

This makes our Java web application more interactive and user-friendly.

Therefore, JSP provides powerful tools for displaying dynamic content on web pages.

By leveraging its features like passing data from Servlets, using JSP tags, and JSP Expression Language, we can create dynamic web applications that are flexible and responsive to user inputs.

Adding Additional Functionality

In the previous sections, we learned the basics of building a Java web app using JSP and servlets.

Now, let’s explore how we can enhance our app by adding additional functionality.

We will focus on implementing features like user authentication and database integration, and also discuss various examples of how servlets and JSP can be used for different purposes.

1. Implementing User Authentication

User authentication is a crucial aspect of modern web applications.

By implementing this feature, we can ensure that only authorized users can access certain parts of our app.

This can be achieved by using servlet filters, which intercept requests and perform authentication checks before allowing access.

We can also store user credentials securely in a database and validate them during the authentication process.

2. Database Integration

Most real-world applications require data storage and retrieval.

Servlets and JSP can be used to integrate with databases and perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations.

By using JDBC (Java Database Connectivity), we can establish a connection to the database, execute queries, retrieve data, and update or delete records.

This allows us to create dynamic web pages that interact with the underlying database.

3. Examples of Servlets and JSP for Different Purposes

Servlets and JSP provide a powerful combination for various purposes in web development.

Here are a few examples:

• Form Processing: Servlets can handle form submissions, validate inputs, and store data in a database. Use JSP to present success or error messages to the user effectively.
  
  
• User Management: Servlets can handle user registration, login, and password reset functionalities. Use JSP to display user profiles and update user information seamlessly.
  
  
• File Upload and Download: Servlets can receive file uploads, save them on the server, and provide downloading functionality. Use JSP to display and facilitate the download of uploaded files.
  
  
• Data Visualization: Servlets can retrieve data from a database and pass it to JSP for visualization. JSP can use charting libraries or custom HTML/CSS to present the data in a visually appealing manner.

4. Advantages of Servlets and JSP

Servlets and JSP offer several advantages for building web applications:

• Portability: Servlets and JSP are platform-independent, allowing our app to run on any server that supports Java.
  
  
• Reusability: Servlets and JSP components can be reused across multiple pages, enhancing code maintainability.
  
  
• Performance: Servlets are efficient in handling concurrent requests, while JSP allows for the separation of logic and presentation, improving performance.
  
  
• Scalability: By leveraging servlet containers, our app can handle increasing traffic and scale seamlessly.

Therefore, adding additional functionality to our Java web app using servlets and JSP opens up endless possibilities.

We can implement user authentication, integrate databases for data storage, and leverage servlets and JSP for various purposes like form processing, user management, and data visualization.

By harnessing the power of these technologies, we can build robust and feature-rich web applications.

Testing and Deploying the Web App

Testing and deploying the web app

Running the project locally for testing

• Set up the local environment by installing Apache Tomcat and Java Development Kit.
  
  
• Create a new project in your IDE and configure it to use the local Tomcat server.
  
  
• Write unit tests to ensure the functionality of individual components.
  
  
• Use a testing framework like JUnit to automate the execution of these tests.
  
  
• Debug the application using breakpoints to identify and fix any issues.

Deploying the web app to a web server

• Package the project into a WAR (Web Application Archive) file.
  
  
• Open the Tomcat web server configuration file and set up a new virtual host.
  
  
• Copy the WAR file to the “webapps” folder of the Tomcat installation directory.
  
  
• Launch the Tomcat server and verify the successful deployment of the web app.
  
  
• Ensure that the necessary dependencies are present in the Tomcat’s “lib” directory.
  
  
• Configure the server.xml file to define the context path and other deployment settings.
  
  
• Test the deployed web app by accessing it through a web browser.

Tips for testing and deploying the web app

• Keep a separate test environment to avoid interfering with the production environment.
  
  
• Test the web app on different browsers and devices to ensure cross-compatibility.
  
  
• Use tools like Apache JMeter to simulate heavy loads and measure performance.
  
  
• Monitor the server logs and use log analyzers to debug any issues during deployment.
  
  
• Implement proper error handling and logging mechanisms for better troubleshooting.
  
  
• Regularly update and maintain the web server, including security patches and updates.
  
  
• Automate the deployment process using continuous integration and deployment tools.
  
  
• Conduct user acceptance testing to gather feedback and make necessary improvements.

Testing and deploying a web app is a crucial part of the software development lifecycle.

By following the steps mentioned above, you can ensure that your web app functions correctly and is ready to be deployed to a production server.

Remember to thoroughly test your application to deliver a secure and reliable experience to your end users.

Continuous monitoring and regular updates are also essential for maintaining the web app’s performance and security.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we covered the main points of building a simple Java web app with JSP and Servlets.

We discussed the importance of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for frontend development and explained the role of JSP and Servlets in the backend.

Also we learnt how to set up a project in Eclipse and Tomcat, and explored the basics of JSP that allow us to dynamically generate HTML content.

We also looked at how Servlets handle HTTP requests and responses, and the use of JavaBeans for data encapsulation.

Building a Java web app with JSP and Servlets requires understanding both frontend and backend development.

By following the steps outlined in this blog post, readers should have a good foundation to start building their own Java web apps.

I encourage all readers to continue exploring and practicing with JSP and Servlets, as these technologies are widely used in the industry.

With determination and hands-on experience, you will be able to create sophisticated web applications and contribute to the Java development community.

Now it’s time for you to start building your own Java web app with JSP and Servlets! Happy coding!