JSP vs Servlet

Difference Between JSP vs Servlet

What is JSP?

Java Server Pages (JSP) is a server-side programming technology that allows the creation of a dynamic, platform-independent method for developing Web-based applications. JSP have access to the whole family of Java APIs, including the JDBC API to access enterprise databases. JavaServer Pages (JSP) is a technology for creating Web pages that support dynamic content. This helps programmers embed java code in HTML pages by making use of specific JSP tags, most of which begin with <% and end with %>. A JavaServer Pages component is a type of Java servlet that is intended to fulfill the role of a user interface for a Java web application. Web developers  create JSPs as text files that join HTML or XHTML code, XML elements, and embedded JSP actions and commands. Using JSP, you can assemble input from users over Webpage forms, present records from a database or different source, and build Web pages dynamically. JSP tags can be used for a variety of purposes, such as retrieving data from a database or registering user preferences, accessing JavaBeans components, passing control among pages, and sharing information between requests, pages etc.JavaServer Pages usually serve the same purpose as programs executed using the Common Gateway Interface (CGI).

But JSP offers many benefits in contrast with the CGI. Firstly, Performance is significantly greater because JSP enables embedding Dynamic Elements in HTML Pages itself instead of having separate CGI files. Secondly, JSP is forever compiled before they are processed by the server, unlike CGI/Perl which needs the server to load an interpreter and the target script each time the page is requested. Moreover, JavaServer Pages are created on top of the Java Servlets API, so like Servlets, JSP also has access to all the influential Enterprise Java APIs, including JDBC, JNDI, EJB, JAXP, etc.JSP pages can be used in combination with servlets that manage the business logic, the model supported by Java servlet template engines. Finally, JSP is a fundamental part of Java EE, a complete platform for enterprise-class applications. This implies that JSP can play a part in the simplest applications to the most complex and demanding.

What is Servlet?

Servlets implement a component-based, platform-independent method for developing Web-based applications, without the performance restrictions of CGI programs. Servlets have access to the complete family of Java APIs, including the JDBC API to access enterprise databases. Java Servlets are programs that run on a Web or Application server and act as a middle layer among requests coming from a Web browser or different HTTP client and databases or applications on the HTTP server. Using Servlets, you can collect input from users through web page forms, present records from a database or different source, and develop web pages dynamically.Java Servlets usually serve the same purpose as programs executed using the Common Gateway Interface (CGI).

But Servlets offer various benefits in association with the CGI. They are Performance is significantly greater, Servlets execute within the address space of a Web server. It is not essential to develop a separate process to manage every client request. Servlets are platform-independent because they are drafted in Java.Java security manager on the server implements a set of limitations to preserve the resources on a server machine. So servlets remain trusted. The complete functionality of the Java class libraries is available to a servlet. It can interact with applets, databases, or different software through the sockets and RMI mechanisms that you have observed already.

Head To Head Comparison Between JSP vs Servlet (Infographics)

Below is the top 5 difference between JSP vs Servlet

Key Differences Between JSP vs Servlet

Both JSP vs Servlet are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major Difference Between JSP vs Servlet

• Modification in Servlet is a time-consuming task because it involves reloading, recompiling and restarting the server. While JSP modification is fast, just require to click the refresh button.
• In Servlet we have to execute everything like business logic and presentation logic in just one servlet file. Whereas, In JSP business logic is isolated from presentation logic by using JavaBeans.
• Servlet can accept every protocol requests and can override the service() method. While JSP only receives HTTP requests and not possible to override its service() method.
• Servlet is a java code moreover, Writing code for the servlet is difficult than JSP as it is HTML in Java. Whereas, JSP is an HTML based code and JSP is simple to code as it is java in HTML.
• Servlets executes inside a Web server, such as Tomcat, While, A JSP program is compiled into a Java servlet before execution. Once it is compiled into a servlet, it’s life cycle will be similar as of servlet. However, JSP has its individual API for the lifecycle.

JSP vs Servlet Comparison Table

Below is the topmost comparison between JSP vs Servlet

Conclusion – JSP vs Servlet

Conclusively, Servlets are principally server-side programs, developed completely in Java. JSP is fundamentally an interface built on top of Servlets. The benefit of JSP is that it takes care of the UI part, and reduces the developer effort to design the screens. JSP is helpful for UI programmers, as it embeds HTML with some basic Java coding, and the server-side processing logic can be taken care of by the Servlets. JSP has the custom tags characteristic, which enables us to build reusable components, making it extra flexible, compared to servlets. JSP is much useful for session tracking, cookie management, and as each request is handled by a single thread, it’s far extra efficient too.

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