Updated March 6, 2023
Difference Between JSP and ASP
JSP (Java Server Page) is basically a technology that helps software developers to implement and develop dynamic web pages based on XML, HTML or other applicable document types. It was initially released in 1999 by Sun Microsystems. It is basically a type of Java service component that is useful from the user interphase perspective for Java-based applications. It has full access to Java APIs and the enterprise’s databases. ASP (Active Server Pages) is basically Microsoft’s first server-side script engine for dynamically generated web pages. It was initially released in 1996. ASP mainly implements server-side scripting for content generation purpose, and these are then sent to the client’s web browsers. These generated content scripts are mainly developed in JScript, VBScript or PerlScript.
Importance of JSP and ASP
Find below the importance of JSP:
- In the case of JSP, the performance graph increases subsequently due to the direct presence of embedded dynamic elements in HTML pages rather than using separate CGI files.
- Since the JSP is mainly implemented on servlets API, it has access to the enterprise Java APIs.
- It also has a direct impact while handling the business logic, and servlets and works also support it in combination with the APIs and templates.
Find below the importance of ASP:
- Being a modular framework, adding and removing features can be easily managed.
- It supports cross-platform functionality.
- From the basic setup perspective, it is easier to implement.
- It has built-in support for web services standards.
Head To Head Comparison Between JSP and ASP (Infographics)
Below are the top 7 comparisons of JSP vs ASP:
Key Differences Between JSP and ASP
Both are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major difference:
- JSP (Java Server Page) is basically a technology that helps the software developers to implement and develop dynamic web pages based on XML, HTML or other applicable document types, whereas ASP (Active Server Pages) is basically Microsoft’s first server-side script engine for dynamically generated web pages.
- Sun Microsystems initially developed JSP (recently acquired by Oracle), whereas Microsoft develops ASP.
- From the performance perspective, the JSP code can execute faster than ASP.
- In the case of JSP, it is mainly used by Apache Tomcat web server and mainly implemented on Linux based web server. But it also runs on JBoss and IBM application servers. So if the execution is processed in the Linux based servers, then JSP is more preferable to ASP. In the case of ASP, it is mainly based on the Microsoft IIS server and is implemented on windows based systems.
- JSP comes free, whereas ASP is not free, and a proper license is required (cost) for the usage purpose.
- JSP can be easily linked with any database servers using the applicable driver library files for the connection purpose, whereas, in the case of ASP, database servers can be connected easily, but the applicable add-ons need to installed and used. Also, since its being based on VB, so MS SQL connection can also be used.
- In the case of an ASP.Net framework, local variables can be initialized automatically, whereas, in the case of JSP, variable under a specific procedure can’t be initialized in this manner.
- JSP mainly works with respect to the Java Security Model, whereas ASP is mainly based and implemented on the Windows NT Security Architecture Model.
- JSP is mainly based on Java, and thus it becomes platform-independent. Hence, it can work on any platforms irrespective of MS Windows or Linux based platforms. But this is not the case with ASP, and it can only work on the Microsoft Windows platforms.
- Custom tagged libraries can’t be implemented on ASP, whereas an extensive set of libraries supports JSP.
JSP vs ASP Comparison Table
Below is the topmost comparison among JSP vs ASP:
| The basis of comparison |
JSP |
ASP |
| Definition | JSP (Java Server Page) is basically a technology that helps software developers to implement and develop dynamic web pages based on XML, HTML or other applicable document types. | ASP (Active Server Pages) is basically Microsoft’s first server-side script engine for dynamically generated web pages. |
| Architecture | In JSP, it is basically a type of Java servlet component that is useful from the user interphase perspective for Java-based applications. | In the case of ASP, it mainly implements server-side scripting for content generation purpose, and these are then sent to the client’s web browsers. |
| Cost-Effectiveness | JSP is free. | ASP is not free, and a proper license is required (cost) for the usage purpose. |
| Mode of Operation | In the case of JSP, it mainly runs on the Java Programming language and can be compiled directly at the runtime. | In the case of ASP, it is mainly implemented in Visual Basic language, and thus the code needs to be interpreted, and then it can be executed. |
| Simplicity | In the case of JSP, coding is the initial step of programming complex queries, and it is easier than programming. | In the case of ASP, it handles different complex situations and queries to produce the proper machine level outputs. So, it is basically an advanced version of coding and other different approaches. Thus, it is much more complex than JSP. |
| Database | JSP can be easily linked with any database servers using the applicable driver library files for connection purpose. | In the ASP case, database servers can be connected easily, but the applicable add-ons need to be installed and used. Also, since its being based on VB, so MS SQL connection can also be used. |
| Support | There is also a lot of community support for JSP and its users. | Although it is costly, they provide a larger range of community and paid support. Normally all the ASP versions use to provide long-term customer support. |
Conclusion
After comparing JSP vs ASP over a range of factors, it can be concluded that JSP vs ASP is the two important server-side scripting languages for application development, but at the same point in time, each one has its own pros and cons. So, before choosing any one of them, developers should learn and analyze different aspects of both JSP vs ASP languages. Thus, based on the type of project need, time of work, and other discussed aspects, any of these two should be selected to reach the desired goal.
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