This is the eBook version of the printed book. If the print book includes a CD-ROM, this content is not included within the eBook version. Java EE is the technology of choice for e-commerce applications, interactive Web sites, and Web-enabled services. Servlet and JSP technology provides the link between Web clients and server-side applications on this platform. Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages, Volume 2: Advanced Technologies, Second Edition, is the definitive guide to the advanced features and capabilities provided by servlets and JSP. Volume 2 presents advanced capabilities like custom tag libraries, filters, declarative security, JSTL, and Struts. Like the first volume, it teaches state-of-the-art techniques and best practices illustrated with complete, working, fully documented programs. Volume 2 explains in detail the advanced tools and techniques needed to build robust, enterprise-class applications. You’ll learn how to control application behavior through the web.xml deployment descriptor file, how to enhance application security through both declarative and programmatic methods, and how to use servlet and JSP filters to encapsulate common behavior. You’ll also learn how to control major application lifecycle events, best practices for using JSTL, and how to build custom tag libraries. Volume 2 concludes with an in-depth introduction to the Jakarta Struts framework.

Java EE is the technology of choice for e-commerce applications, interactive Web sites, and Web-enabled services. Servlet and JSP technology provides the link between Web clients and server-side applications on this platform. Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages, Volume 2: Advanced Technologies, Second Edition, is the definitive guide to the advanced features and capabilities provided by servlets and JSP.

Volume 2 presents advanced capabilities like custom tag libraries, filters, declarative security, JSTL, and Struts. Like the first volume, it teaches state-of-the-art techniques and best practices illustrated with complete, working, fully documented programs.

Volume 2 explains in detail the advanced tools and techniques needed to build robust, enterprise-class applications. You’ll learn how to control application behavior through the web.xml deployment descriptor file, how to enhance application security through both declarative and programmatic methods, and how to use servlet and JSP filters to encapsulate common behavior. You’ll also learn how to control major application lifecycle events, best practices for using JSTL, and how to build custom tag libraries. Volume 2 concludes with an in-depth introduction to the Jakarta Struts framework.

Complete source code for all examples is available free for unrestricted use at www.volume2.coreservlets.com. For information on Java training from Marty Hall, go to courses.coreservlets.com.

Volume 1 presents comprehensive coverage of the servlets and JSP specifications, including HTTP headers, cookies, session tracking, JSP scripting elements, file inclusion, the MVC architecture, and the JSP expression language. It also covers HTML forms, JDBC, and best practices for design and implementation.

For Java programmers developing dynamic Web sites and Web-enabled applications, servlets and JSP provide the crucial link between Web clients and server-side applications. Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages: Core Technologies, Volume 2, Second Edition, is the definitive, comprehensive guide to advanced Web application development with Servlets 2.4 and JSP 2.0.

Volume 2 builds upon and extends the integrated servlets/JSP coverage presented in Volume 1. Like the first volume, it teaches state-of-the-art techniques through complete, functional, fully documented programs, and provides a unified treatment--showing when servlet technology is best, when JSP is preferred, and when (and how) servlets and JSP should work together.

Thoroughly updated to reflect the latest improvements in JSP and servlet technology, Volume 2 focuses on the advanced tools and techniques needed to build robust, enterprise-class Java Web applications. Its pragmatic, detail-oriented coverage ranges from Web.XML to security and JSTL to the Application Events Framework.

Volume 2 begins by demonstrating how to design Web applications that can be moved without change. You’ll learn how to achieve total control over application behavior through the Web.XML deployment descriptor file. Next, you’ll discover how to enhance application security through both declarative and programmatic methods.

The authors demonstrate how to use servlet and JSP filters to encapsulate common behavior in a modular and reusable manner, and separate high-level access decisions from presentation code. You’ll learn how to use the Application Events Framework to control major events in your application’s lifecycle, from creating connection pools to setting up network connections; then systematically master best practices for using JSP tag libraries.

The authors conclude with an in-depth introduction to the Struts framework for building MVC applications. You’ll learn how Struts works, discover its advantages and tradeoffs, and master its custom tags, utilities, and advanced capabilities--including properties files, Struts Tiles, and input validation.

• The same clear step-by-step explanations that have made every edition and volume of Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages so popular
• Completely updated for the latest standards: servlets 2.4 and JSP 2.0
• Hundreds of completely portable, fully documented, industrial-strength examples
• Detailed treatments of Web.XML, security, JSP Filters, the Application Events Framework, Struts, JSTL, JSP 2.0 tag libraries, and much more
• Online access to all source code, available free for unrestricted use at the authors’ coreservlets.com Web site.

The use of servlets and JSP has continued to grow at a phenomenal rate. Thetechnology of choice for developing dynamic Web sites and Web-enabledapplications, servlets and JSP provide the link between Web clients and serversideapplications. Virtually all major Web servers for Windows, Unix (includingLinux), MacOS, VMS, and mainframe operating systems now support servletand JSP technology either natively or by means of a plugin. With only a smallamount of configuration, you can run servlets and JSP in Microsoft IIS, theApache Web Server, IBM WebSphere, BEA WebLogic, and dozens of otherservers. This book, from best-selling authors Marty Hall and Lary Brown,provides a fantastic look at the advanced features and latest developmentregarding servlets and JSP. In the Core tradition, this book is designed toprovide experienced programmers with the essential information they need tolearn and apply the latest, most important technologies.

• Practical guide to using Java for Web-enabled applications and dynamic Web sites
• In-depth coverage of the latest J2EE standards: servlets version 2.2 and JSP 1.1
• Hundreds of completely portable, fully documented, industrial-strength examples
• Configuration details for Apache Tomcat, Sun’s JSWDK, and the Java Web Server

Servlets and JavaServer Pages provide a powerful, efficient, portable, and secure alternative to CGI programming for developing professional e-commerce sites and other Web-enabled applications. Here’s all you need to leverage the latest J2EE servlet 2.2 and JSP 1.1 standards: real-world insight, advanced techniques, industrial-strength code, and hands-on coverage of three top servlet/JSP engines, including Apache Tomcat.

• Part I gives exhaustive coverage of servlets 2.1 and 2.2. Starts with basic syntax, the servlet life cycle, and use of form data. Moves on to leveraging HTTP 1.1, cookies, and session tracking. Advanced topics include compressed Web content, persistent connections, dynamically generated images, and shopping carts for e-commerce.
• Part II provides an in-depth guide to JSP 1.0 and 1.1, including advice on when to use servlets, JSP, or a combination of the two. Discusses every standard JSP element, including approaches for integrating JavaBeans. Advanced techniques include sharing beans, generating Excel spreadsheets, and defining custom JSP tag libraries.
• Part III covers key supporting technologies: HTML forms, JDBC and database connection pooling, and the use of applets to communicate with servlets.
• Servlet and JSP Quick Reference provides a handy syntax and usage summary.

Every Core Series book:

• Demonstrates practical techniques used by professional developers
• Features robust, thoroughly tested sample code and realistic examples
• Focuses on the cutting-edge technologies you need to master today
• Provides expert advice that will help you build superior software

Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages delivers:

• Practical techniques for streamlining Web-enabled application development
• Proven strategies for optimizing servlet and JSP performance
• In-depth, hands-on coverage of the latest standards: servlets 2.2 and JSP 1.1
• On-line access to all source code, available free for unrestricted use

In the Java universe, the interface layer of the ubiquitous model-view-controller (MVC) software design paradigm is handled by either servlets of JavaServer Pages (JSP). The second edition of Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages, like its predecessor, documents these handy technologies fully and practically. Far more than a straight API reference, this book presents examples--complete with code and a listing or screen shot showing results--wherever possible. It’s a fantastic strategy for communicating to programmers what they need to do in order to achieve the effects and behaviors they desire. What’s new in the second edition? Lots, in terms of its eponymous software development environments: The book covers servlets 2.4 and JSP 2.0. The examples are more refined, too, and more attention is paid to supporting technologies like Web and database servers.

The didactic approach of authors Marty Hall and Larry Brown is recipe-like. They typically begin with a statement of a problem to be solved, then discuss relevant aspects of the servlet or JSP API. A series of code listings follows, and screen shots showing results bring up the rear. The net effect is that it’s easy to spot relevant sections in the table of contents, it’s clear how implementation works (thanks to the extensive listings) and there’s no doubt about what the results are supposed to be. More elaborate examples show how servlets and JSP work in shopping cart, auction, and other applications. This is a significant and worthwhile update to an important Java book. --David Wall

Topics covered: Java servlets 2.4, JavaServer Pages (JSP) 2.0 (including the new expression language), HTML forms, JDBC database connectivity, and the details of how servlets and JSP are implemented in Apache Tomcat, Caucho Resin, and Macromedia JRun.

Excellent book!!!!
This book is a continuation of the first book. The book covers deployment of web application in great detail. It takes you through the development of a JSP, custom tags and does not leave you hanging like other books. It takes you through the steps of compiling, building and installing your web app. It covers security filtering and much more.

Another interesting technique this book uses, is it take the web developer through the different types of web development. It starts with development of custom tags and takes the reader through JSTL libraries and then discusses the Struts framework.

Finally, I used this book to help me through deployment of my web application. It was an invaluable tool.

Excellent book!!
I highly recommend this book. I have not had it for very long but I already find it very useful. It has helped my team introduce new technology and features into our applications. The Application Events Framework in chapter 6 helped me debug my application and discover that Struts creates a new session, if one doesn’t exist, on every request In fact, JSP Tag files technology discussed in chapter 7 was the basis for a new reusable common component that we have created.

I like the style of the book very much. One thing in particular that I like is when a new technology or feature is introduced the steps needed to use it are numbered and laid out clearly without going into too much detail. Then as the feature is developed and each step is examined in detail the steps as a whole are repeated. This helps keep things in perspective - you can see more clearly where each thing fits into the big picture.

The authors also do a good job of trying to give small but useful and instructional examples of the different technologies - not always an easy task.

Whenever I look into this book I find new and interesting ideas. Even the concepts that I am familiar with I still learn new things about them. I wish I had more time to read through the entire book.

advanced servlet/jsp & struts 1.3
"Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages, Volume 2: Advanced Technologies" targets developers who already know Java and basic servlets/JSPs. Note this book’s second edition does not cover the latest technologies. It uses J2EE 1.3/1.4 and Struts 1.3.

The main topics are advanced deployment descriptor settings, security, custom tags, filters, event handling and JSTL. Then there are three chapters on Struts 1.3. These additional chapters were very good although I’m not sure what they have to do with "core servlets." The browser screenshots were good for showing output and the examples were excellent.

As with "Core Java", the 700 page book contains some long classes. I could have done without the complete 5 page deployment descriptor at the end since it was gradually built up with new additions highlighted. The highlighting does help with spatial orientation.

I did notice a couple typos in the book. None of these affected the meaning, but it gives you the impression it wasn’t proofread as carefully as other books. And (at least my copy) had a printing error where one page was missing a few lines.

For most part the book pointed out best practices. There were a few exceptions such as one chapter mentioning which jsp page should establish a database connection. Different chapters had different opinions on whether there should be scriptlets in a JSP as well.

Overall the book was fine although I would prefer to invest in a different title - either fully on Struts or fully on servlets/JSPs.

Great Read
Not a book for beginning programmers, however if you have minimal java experience and are proficient in other languages you will be able to figure it out.

This book is an excellent read but has little reference value because it has no index. It is very informative if you are looking for something that explains the in’s and out’s and why’s of .jsp and servlets, but if you are looking for lessons and sample code, you will have better luck looking for it online. But then again if you have experience, you can figure out the code yourself -not that difficult.

P.S. There is a wealth of hints and code at java.sun.com That site coupled with this book was enough to get me on my way.

Excellent service - book brand new condition
Although used, the book was in brand-new condition. Arrived on time.

What you need to know about JSP and Servlet Programming.
This book presents a great introduction into the world of server side programming. Hall is an excellent writer and is considered to be the go-to man for JSP and Servlet development. This book is valuable to anyone interested in J2EE development.

Very good for the beginer to startup and can not get vol 2.
It is a very good for a beginner like me to catch all the basic knowlege in this area as fast as I could, without digging into the the advanced topic at the very begining. With the help of the book, I felt very exciting to be able to setup my own tomcat server and web.xml and develop and deploy my own JSP and servelt in MVC pattern without any help from other IDE like WSAD. The only pity I have that is that the book left all the advanced topics to vol 2, but I have feeling that the vol 2 will never be published. I did send a email to the author about the release date of the vol 2 but did not get response. I could not wait for vol 2, and I have to trun to other good book to fill up the gaps in my knowlege.

Detail rich, high redundancy, super complete first volume on servlets and JSP
On most subjects you find at least one thick book. This book is more than the usual thick book on servlets and JSP. It is a really, really thick book. It took me quite a while to get used to reading it. All important points (and there are many of them) are explained a few times in a row. At the beginning I was somewhat annoyed, and then I started to realize that the repetition is due to the sound experience of the author with real people learning this technology. There are few things simple enough that no one can misunderstand a short explanation and sometimes it is oneself who misunderstands. So be prepared to read everything in extenso.

The book covers subjects you normally hear only little about. I found the treatment on HTTP (yes HTTP itself not only HTML) especially useful. You do even get introduced to three different servlet engines. As far as I am concerned two of those descriptions could have been moved to the appendix. Anyhow it is easy to skim through those pages. A lot of material will be covered in the second volume. The choice seems to be ok with the exception of JSTL. Here I wished it would have already been covered - at least at a basic level - in the first volume.

Who is the audience? Anybody who needs clarity on a specific point is well served. Anybody who wants to read a second book on the subject might also want to choose it. On the other hand this is clearly not a beginner’s text. You get too early drowned in information and confused with too many options. Determined beginners could fight their way through, but to start with a good thin book is far more effective (I liked the excellent "Beginning JSP 2" from APress). Also if you have trouble skimming through large amounts of text and also if it is easy to insult your intelligence, you might want to read a different book.

In total I am happy with "Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages, Vol. 1" and keep looking forward to Volume 2, which I preordered already.

Great Book
Great book, tells you in detail and in-depth on how Serviles and JSP work together. I wish I bought this book first so I would have saved a lot of money and time. I am looking forward to buying volume II.

An absolute must have guide for the Servlet and JSP beginner.
This book is a great beginner’s guide for Servlets and JSP technologies. All the code works straight off the pages. Its current and its practical. Not meaning to sound like I have a personal interest in the sale of this book, but if you order it in October 2005, you’ll just have enough time to complete the book before the release of Volume 2. This book was so great that I have already pre-ordered volume 2.

A good introduction to Servlets and JSP
Others have provided excellent reviews so I will just comment on a few items:

1) The book does a good job at covering the basics of using servlets and JSP for a web application.

2) Conversely, the book is stuck in the basics and instead of discussing more interesting topics it references the unpublished Volume 2. Very annoying.

3) This is a book for beginners. If you have any web programming experience this may be too simple and with a very slow pace. Many more concepts could have been included without compromising the book.

A good reference book
This is a good reference book for people who need to work on both servlet and JSP. But, it covers too many topics, which I believe JSP should be separated into another book.

mediocre content, first class self marketing and merchandising
I bought this book thinking that it had the same quality found in other Core Series books but I was disappointed after reading the first chapters.
From page one, the author does not go into any detailed explanation of anything, he only gives the reader brief concepts of every subject and for each one he adds extensive code examples which could be up to 7 or 8 pages long (mostly containing screenshots and tons of lines of regular Java code and classes that you are already supposed to know how to do) which are also so simple and repetitive that they do not add any value to the concept already explained.
I also found really annoying two facts:
1 - Throughout the book the author constantly references Volume 2 of the book where supposedly the topic in mention will be discussed (there are so many references to Volume 2 that kind of leaves you wondering about the completeness of Volume 1 - not to mention that Volume 2 is not released yet and will not be released until 2006).
2 - The author repeats over and over again about the Servlets and JSP courses he gives (once or maybe twice is ok... but please....)
To me these two facts are just a marketing strategy whether to induce you to buy Volume 2 of the book or to attend one of such courses.
Bottom line is... if you want a book that only gives you the tip of the iceberg and simple explanations or recipes on how to do things.. this book is for you, if not, choose any other book. I find that O’Reilly’s Head First Servlets & JSP book, even though is an introductory book, has so much more content than this one and is so much more fun to read (and there is no Volume 2! :) )

Excelent environment setup explinations
2nd edition has all the details for environment setup so it makes it easy and clear how to start your first web application. I always refer to this book when I need some reference or to review basic web application development.