JavaServer Pages [Paperback]

Larne Pekowsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2000

JavaServer Pages (JSP) give developers all the advantages of dynamic web pages -- with none of the disadvantages that have plagued previous approaches. JSP is a key component of the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition -- Sun's heavily-promoted architecture for enterprise applications. This start-to-finish guide shows developers how to make the most of JSP technology to build fast, exciting sites that are easy to manage and evolve. First, understand the architecture and key concepts underlying JSP, and how it separates programming from HTML; then walk through JSP syntax, and learn how JSP can leverage JavaBeans. Next, walk through building a fully-functional, information-rich news site that incorporates JSPs, JavaBeans, and databases. The book's extensive examples are based on Jakarta, a world-class implementation of the Java Servlet 2.2 and JSP 1.1 specifications that will be used in Apache and many other leading web servers and development tools. CD-ROM includes sample code and utilities.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Even if you aren't a programmer, you can design Web sites with dynamic content generated by JavaServer Pages (JSPs). That's the idea in JavaServer Pages, a very approachable and patient tutorial suitable for anyone with basic HTML knowledge.

Early sections explain how JSPs and Java servlets work. (In short, JSPs provide an easy way to write servlets, a powerful alternative to CGI scripts or Microsoft Active Server Pages, ASPs). With JSPs, you write HTML with embedded tags, so you don't have to be a Java expert to use them.

The strength of this text has to be the author's practically minded tutorial showing these pages in action. Dozens of short programming excerpts provide a solid tour of basic techniques, including retrieving form variables and generating dynamic content for a sample news Web site. Later, the author delves into the Java programming language itself, along with custom JavaBeans for use within JSPs.

Closing chapters enhance the sample Web site with personalization and even basic e-commerce capabilities. Chances are this case study is all you need to start making use of JSPs and beans successfully on your own. By centering on JSPs first and then working inward to the details of Java, the text can benefit a wide range of readers. Content creators can learn JSPs and gain exposure to some real Java, while serious Java programmers can learn a much simpler approach to writing servlets. Provided you know HTML and the basics of Web development, this easy-to-digest and worthwhile book can let you build Web sites that take advantage of one of today's most powerful server-side technologies. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: History of dynamic content with HTML, CGI scripts, Active Server Pages (ASPs), introduction to Java Server Pages (JSPs) and servlets, JSP comments and basic statements, error handling, request time processing and expressions, implicit JSP objects, retrieving user form variables, properties and serialization, basic Java programming (variables, keywords, objects, and simple class design), JSP scriptlets, conditionals, scoping rules, local, page, request and session scope, managing session information, designing JavaBeans, database and SQL basics, personalization techniques, dynamics ads, adding simple e-commerce capabilities, servlet events and APIs, using servlets with JSPs, introduction to XML and multithreaded programming, sample JSP code, and a case study for a news Web site.

From the Back Cover

JavaServer Pages™ (JSP) is a new technology that facilitates the development of the dynamic, interactive, content-rich Web pages now in great demand. Cross-platform, fast, easily changed, and extensible, JSP overcomes the limitations of previous Web development technologies and is rapidly becoming an acknowledged standard. Sun has included JSP as a formal part of the Java™ 2 Enterprise Edition, and every vendor of application servers supports the technology.

JavaServer Pages™ is a hands-on guide to building dynamic Web pages with JSP. Appropriate for all Web designers--whether or not you are familiar with the Java programming language--the book takes you from the basics to the most advanced dynamic Web site development techniques. It presents the many relevant technologies, including beans, servlets, and Java language essentials, and shows how they work with JSP to bring sophistication and flexibility to your Web site.

You will find fascinating background on the evolution of the World Wide Web and how JSP resolves many of the drawbacks of other Web development technologies, including Active Server Pages (ASP). The book then demonstrates the step-by-step basics of Web development with JSP, beans, and just enough Java programming to add better control to pages. Moving beyond these basics, the book addresses more advanced topics, including servlets, creating one's own beans, and JSP and databases. It shows specifically how these technologies come together to support the Web applications of e-commerce, customized pages, and ad targeting. Also included is a CD-ROM, containing Tomcat™, Jakarta™, and extensive examples of JavaServer Pages™.

Specific topics covered include: JSP templating, scriptlets, conditionals, and loops Request-time expressions Bean instances and serialization Manual and automatic session scope Database access from Java JDBC and beans Creating a bean for personalization The servlet API JSPs and XML Threads and custom tags

A large-scale example running throughout the book demonstrates the leading edge of real-world Web development. All examples are based on Jakarta™ and Tomcat™, the reference implementation of JSP developed for use with Apache Web server and others. A convenient appendix summarizes JSP 1.1 tags.

0201704218B04062001

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub (Sd); Bk&CD Rom edition (March 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201704218
• ISBN-13: 978-0201704211
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,997,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good overview but...., May 30, 2000

By 

David Zweier (Vernon, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JavaServer Pages (Paperback)

This book provides a relatively good overview of the JSP technology. The first few chapters were very clear and informative. However, in later chapters the author jumps into JavaBeans without much explanation and the remainder of the book feeds off of that. I also found many grammatical errors and even a completely erroneous code listing. Consequently, I would say save your $40.00 and wait for a better book on JSP.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New to JSP? Buy this book!, April 19, 2000

By 

Iztok (Palo Alto, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JavaServer Pages (Paperback)

I've created PHP and ASP websites in the last three years, so I do have some programming experience, but I haven't done anything with Java! After I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. The information is presented so that you always know enough to understand what's going on in the code being developed for the main theme of the book, developing a dynamic news site. It also has short examples of code sprinkled throughout the book, that don't require you to follow the theme in order to see what's going on in a particular chapter. Author often presents a simple solution, then gives advice on what needs to be done to make the solution more robust. I love this book. It explains the technology as well as teaches the techique to to use it. I was able to create a dynamic JSP page that queries a MySQL database and neatly displays results within four hours of putting the book down (OK, I admit it, I had to take a few peeks). I'm impressed. If you are new to JSP, buy this book. Not new to JSP? Buy it anyway - it's great (and it talks about Beans and Servlets).

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book for beginners, May 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: JavaServer Pages (Paperback)

I have to say that the book is a great overview of JSP. Larne Pekowsky does a great job of explaining how JSP works and how to incorporate Java into your page. It's a good book for beginners.

However, watch out for the examples in the book. Most have some minor problems with them such as the wrong package name. So, if you try to use the beans that are supplied on the cd, they won't necessarily work.