Utilizing Content Reusability in JSP Pages
Various methods exist for reusing JSP content within a JSP page. In this context, three direct reuse mechanisms are categorized as:
The include directive
Preludes and codas
The jsp:include element
An indirect form of content reusability transpires when utilizing a tag file to define a custom tag employed across multiple web applications.
When a JSP page gets translated into a servlet class, the include directive is processed. This directive's purpose is to incorporate text content from another file (be it static or another JSP page) into the encompassing JSP page. Typically, the include directive is useful for integrating banner content, copyright notices, or any reusable content segment in various pages. The syntax for the include directive is demonstrated below:
<%@ include file="filename" %>
For instance, all pages within the Duke’s Bookstore application could utilize the file banner.jspf, with banner content, by implementing the following directive:
<%@ include file="banner.jspf" %>
Another method for a static inclusion involves using the prelude and coda techniques outlined in Defining Implicit Includes. This approach is favored in the Duke’s Bookstore application.
Owing to the need for an include directive in each file that incorporates the resource specified by said directive, this approach has its constraints. Preludes and codas can only be affixed to the beginning and end of pages. For a more adaptable strategy towards constructing pages using content chunks, refer to A Template Tag Library.
The jsp:include element is enacted during the execution of a JSP page. This action permits the inclusion of either a static or dynamic resource within a JSP file. The outcomes of including static versus dynamic resources differ substantially. Inserting a static resource merges its content into the calling JSP file. Conversely, if the resource is dynamic, the request is directed to the included resource, the respective page is executed, and its outcome is incorporated in the response from the invoking JSP page. The jsp:include element's syntax is depicted below:
<jsp:include page="includedPage" />
In the context of the hello1 application detailed in Packaging Web Modules, the subsequent statement is utilized to include the page responsible for generating the response:
<jsp:include page="response.jsp"/>