Java Advanced Topics and Techniques

Difference between JSP and Servlet

Difference between JSP and Servlet

Introduction

Websites are combinations of static files, such as HTML, graphics, and picture files. If these websites offer dynamic features while housed on the servers, they are known as web apps.

Most websites use a client-server model, where the client submits requests to the server, which responds by processing the requests and delivering the required results. The HTTP protocol is used for this communication. This essay will look at the difference between JSP and Servlet.

What is JSP?

Jakarta Server Pages (JSP) is a Java standard technology used by developers to create dynamic, data-driven web pages for Java web apps.

Code: A simple JSP code

<html>

<body>

<p>Welcome to Board Infinity! </p>

</body>

</html>

What is a Servlet?

Servlet is a web application development technology. It is an API that offers several classes, interfaces, and documentation. It replies to incoming queries and increases the servers' capabilities. It is capable of responding to any request.

Code: Example

import java.io.*;

import javax.servlet.*;

import javax.servlet.http.*;

public class JavaTester extends HttpServlet {

private String message;

public void init() throws ServletException {

// Do required initialization

message = "Welcome to Board Infinity";

}

public void doGet(HttpServletRequest request, HttpServletResponse response)

throws ServletException, IOException {

// Set response content type

response.setContentType("text/html");

// Actual logic goes here.

PrintWriter out = response.getWriter();

out.println(message);

}

}

write your code here: Coding Playground

Output

Welcome to Board Infinity

JSP and servlets are commonly used together, particularly in older Java web applications. The main difference between JSP and servlet is the way code is written. Servlets allow you to write Java code and then integrate client-side content (such as HTML) inside that code. JSP begins with client-side script or markup, followed by JSP tags that link your page to the Java back end.

JSP vs Servlet

Servlets are a mechanism for developing web applications that are platform-independent and component-based. It disregards CGI applications' performance-based limitations (Common Gateway Interface). Servlets may access all Java APIs and corporate databases using the JDBC API.

JSPs are used for server-side programming and building dynamic, cross-platform online applications. To assist us in deciding which one is better for a certain requirement, we may compare JSP with Servlet based on the following criteria.

The following are the key differences between Servlet and JSP:

Servlet

JSP

Servlets execute more quickly than JSP.

JSP takes longer to execute than a servlet because the software must be compiled before it can be converted to a servlet.

Writing servlet code is challenging.

Compared to servlets, JSP is simpler to code.

Servlets serve as controllers in MVC architecture.

JSP functions as a view for output in MVC architecture.

It should be used when greater data processing is required.

JSP is often used when there is little to no data processing required.

In servlets, there is no option for writing custom tags.

Custom tags that may invoke Java beans directly are simple to create.

Servlet is written in Java.

JSP is a piece of HTML code.

Any protocol request, including HTTP, is acceptable.

It is limited to HTTP requests.

Overriding the service () function is possible.

You cannot override the service () function in JSP.

Session management in Servlets is not enabled by default; users must specifically activate it.

Session management is enabled by default in JSP.

Business and display logic must be implemented in a single Servlet file.

JavaBeans are used in JSP to separate presentation logic from business logic.

Because the server must be reloaded, recompiled, and restarted, changing the Servlet file takes time.

JSP change is quick since it only requires one refresh button click.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between JSP and Servlet in detail can help you better grasp both technologies. Compared to the Servlet, JSP offers greater versatility since it has custom labels for creating reused scripts.