Head First Servlets and JSP, 2nd Edition

Chapter 1. Intro and Overview: Why use Servlets & JSPs?

Web applications are hot. Sure, GUI applications might use exotic Swing widgets, but how many GUI apps do you know that are used by millions of users worldwide? As a web app developer, you can free yourself from the grip of deployment problems all standalone apps have, and deliver your app to anyone with a browser. But to build a truly powerful web app, you need Java. You need servlets. You need JSPs. Because plain old static HTML pages are so, well, 1999. Today’s users expect sites that are dynamic, interactive, and custom-tailored. Within these pages you’ll learn to move from web site to web app.

OBJECTIVES

Servlets & JSP overview

1.1	For each of the HTTP Methods (such as GET, POST, HEAD, and so on): Describe benefits of the HTTP Method Describe functionality of the HTTP Method List triggers that might cause a Client (usually a Web browser) to use the method
	Also part of Objective 1.1, but not covered in this chapter: Identify the HttpServlet method that corresponds to the HTTP Method

Coverage Notes:

The objectives in this section are covered completely in another chapter, so think of this chapter as a first-look foundation for what comes later. In other words, don’t worry about finishing this chapter knowing (and remembering) anything specific from these objectives; just use it for background. If you already know these topics, you can just skim this chapter and jump to Chapter 2.

You won’t have any mock exam questions on these topics until you get to the more specific chapter where those topics are covered.