Last checked and updated on April 16, 2026What Is New in JSP 2.2
JSP 2.2 is a maintenance release focused on aligning with the Servlet 3.0 specification and providing minor updates. It's part of the Java EE 6 platform and doesn't introduce sweeping new features but ensures compatibility with the latest web container capabilities.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Specification Alignment | Updated to work with Servlet 3.0, supporting its new features like asynchronous processing. |
| Minor Refinements | Clarifications and minor updates to the JSP 2.1 specification. |
| Java EE 6 Integration | JSP 2.2 is the web view technology for the Java EE 6 platform release. |
How does JSP 2.2 work with Servlet 3.0?
The primary update in JSP 2.2 is its integration with the Servlet 3.0 specification. This means JSP pages can now operate within a servlet container that supports asynchronous request handling, annotations, and other Servlet 3.0 features.
In practice, this alignment is crucial for building modern web applications where JSPs are part of a larger architecture that might use these advanced servlet features. The JSP container itself doesn't directly expose new async APIs, but it's built to be compatible with them.
Are there any new JSP tags or EL features?
No, JSP 2.2 does not introduce new Expression Language (EL) syntax or new standard actions (tags). The core language features for JSP pages and Expression Language remain identical to those defined in JSP 2.1.
This release was more about maintenance and platform integration than expanding the language itself. Developers familiar with JSP 2.1 will find the development experience completely unchanged.
What was the main goal of this release?
The main goal was to make JSP a proper component of the Java EE 6 platform. This required updating the specification to reference Servlet 3.0 instead of the older Servlet 2.5 specification that JSP 2.1 relied on.
It's a classic maintenance update that ensures all the pieces of the Java EE web tier work together seamlessly. For most developers, the change is transparent but necessary for platform consistency.
FAQ
Does JSP 2.2 add support for new Expression Language functions?
No, the Expression Language (EL) remains exactly as it was defined in JSP 2.1. This release did not add new EL functions or change the existing syntax.
Can I use JSP 2.2 with a Servlet 2.5 container?
No. JSP 2.2 requires a Servlet 3.0 compatible container. The specification was updated to depend on the new servlet features and APIs introduced in version 3.0.
Are there any new implicit objects available in JSP pages?
No, the set of implicit objects like request, response, and session is unchanged from previous versions. The update was not about expanding the page context.
Is JSP 2.2 part of a larger Java EE update?
Yes, JSP 2.2 is the JavaScript Pages specification version included in the Java EE 6 platform. Its release was coordinated with the broader Java EE 6 specification set.
Should I expect any breaking changes when moving from JSP 2.1 to 2.2?
No, this is a maintenance release focused on compatibility. Code written for JSP 2.1 should work without modification in a JSP 2.2 environment, provided the servlet container is also updated.