Include a private JSP from a Servlet

Question

I have my Servlet responding on the everything "/" url-pattern. Inside I need to sometimes render html, so I'd like to .include a JSP page, but I'd like that .jsp to be inaccessible externally. Also, how can I pass a model object into it.

Gobioid

Answer 1

I'd like to .include a JSP page, but I'd like that .jsp to be inaccessible externally.

Put it in /WEB-INF folder. The client cannot access it, but the RequestDispatcher can access it.

request.getRequestDispatcher("/WEB-INF/page.jsp").forward(request, response);

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Also, how can I pass a model object into it.

Set it as request attribute.

request.setAttribute("bean", bean); // It'll be available as ${bean} in JSP.

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See also:

• Servlets tag info page (contains Hello World example and useful links)
• Hidden features of JSP/Servlet
• Design patterns webbased applications

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That said, be aware that mapping a servlet on / takes over the job of servletcontainer's builtin DefaultServlet for serving static content. You'll have to handle all static files like JS/CSS/images yourself. Consider choosing a more specific url-pattern like /pages/* or *.do for JSP views. Bring eventually a Filter in front as outlined in this answer.

Apiece

I refer putting resources in their own sub folder like (WEB-INF/jsp) – Vanburen

@rsp: You can indeed always categorize it further the way you want :) – Apiece

Wasn't my choice on the / servlet - no directories, no extensions. Your answer worked once I added a /WEB-INF/jsp/* mapping to org.apache.jasper.servlet.JspServlet – Gobioid

You're welcome. As to the extra mapping: that's weird. It should by default work out of the box. Was the servletcontainer's builtin JspServlet in servletcontainer's own web.xml changed to ignore INCLUDE and FORWARD dispatches or so? – Apiece

web.xml had nothing but my catch-all servlet - without the /WEB-INF/jsp/* mapping, it would keep invoking my cath-all servlet and then SO. – Gobioid

Ok. Thx for all the help BalusC - I tried to get the filter working, but for now my eek servlet works. – Gobioid

Answer 2

It's easy:

1. Put your JSP file inside WEB-INF folder.
2. In your servlet, perform a getServletContext().getRequestDispatcher("/WEB-INF/path/your.jsp").forward(request, response);

Anisaanise