JSP actions use constructs in XML syntax to control the behaviour of the servlet engine. You can dynamically insert a file, reuse JavaBeans components, forward the user to another page, or generate HTML for the Java plugin.
Note: Include directive vs include action
<%@ include ... %>
<!--include directive-->
<jsp:include attribute="value" /><!--include action-->
include directive: inserts the file at the time the JSP page is translated into a servlet.
action inserts the file at the time the page is requested.
Often used jsp actions:
(1) include action:
<jsp:include> //can include a jsp file
e.g. create main.jsp , data.jsp use main to include data.jsp.
(2) useBean action:
(2) <jsp:useBean> // use java bean
<jsp:setProperty> //set java bean property
<jsp:getProperty> //get java bean property
(3) forward action:
The forward action terminates the action of the current page and forwards the request to another resource such as a static page, another JSP page, or a Java Servlet.
this one forwards page to date.jsp.
<html>
<head>
<title>The include Action Example</title>
</head>
<body>
<center>
<h2>The include action Example</h2>
<jsp:forward page="date.jsp" />
</center>
</body>
</html>