MySQL Cookbook, 2nd Edition

Using Tomcat to Run Web Scripts

Problem

You want to run Java-based programs in a web environment.

Solution

Write programs using JSP notation and execute them using a servlet container such as Tomcat.

Discussion

As described in Using Apache to Run Web Scripts, Apache can be used to run Perl, Ruby, PHP, and Python scripts. For Java, a different approach is needed because Apache doesn’t serve JSP pages. Instead, we’ll use Tomcat, a server designed for processing Java in a web environment. Apache and Tomcat are very different servers, but there is a familial relationship—like Apache, Tomcat is a development effort of the Apache Software Foundation.

This recipe provides an overview of JSP programming with Tomcat, but makes several assumptions:

• You have some familiarity with the concepts underlying JavaServer Pages, such as what a servlet container is, what an application context is, and what the basic JSP scripting elements are.

• The Tomcat server has been installed so that you can execute JSP pages, and you know how to start and stop it.

• You are familiar with the Tomcat webapps directory and how a Tomcat application is structured. In particular, you understand the purpose of the WEB-INF directory and the web.xml file.

• You know what a tag library is and how to use one.

I recognize that this is a lot to assume. If you’re unfamiliar with JSP or need instructions for installing Tomcat, Appendix C provides the necessary background information.

Once you have Tomcat in place, you should install the following ...