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JavaServer Pages Standard Tag Library

Stephanie Bodoff

The JavaServer Pages Standard Tag Library ("JSTL") encapsulates core functionality common to many JSP applications. For example, instead of iterating over lists using a scriptlet or different iteration tags from numerous vendors, JSTL defines a standard tag that works the same everywhere. This standardization lets you learn a single tag and use it on multiple JSP containers. Also, when tags are standard, containers can recognize them and optimize their implementations.

JSTL has support for common, structural tasks such as iteration and conditionals, tags for manipulating XML documents, internationalization tags, and tags for accessing databases using SQL. It also introduces the concept of an expression language to simplify page development and includes several experimental languages. JSTL also provides a framework for integrating existing custom tags with JSTL tags.

For a complete description of JSTL tags, see the JSTL reference included with the Java Web Services Developer Pack ("Java WSDP") at <JSWDP_HOME>/docs/jstl/index.html. This chapter assumes that you are familiar with the material in the Using Tags section of Custom Tags in JSP Pages.

In This Chapter

The Example JSP Pages

Using JSTL

Expression Language Support

Twin Libraries

Specifying an Expression Language Evaluator

Simplest Possible Expression Language (SPEL)

Tag Collaboration

Core Tags

Expression Tags

Flow Control Tags

Import Tags

XML Tags

Core Tags

Flow Control Tags

Transformation Tags

Internationalization Tags

Messaging Tags

Formatting Tags

SQL Tags

query Tag Result-Related Interfaces

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