JSP | Expression tag (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 14 May, 2026

The Expression Tag in JSP is used to display output directly on the client’s browser. It allows embedding Java expressions inside a JSP page and automatically converts them into string output. This tag simplifies printing data without writing explicit output statements.

Uses <%= %> syntax to write Java expressions
Automatically prints output to the browser (no need for out.print())
Mainly used for displaying data, not for writing logic

**Syntax:

<%= expression %>

Difference from Scriptlet Tag

Scriptlet (<% %>) → used for writing Java logic (loops, conditions)
Expression (<%= %>) → used for displaying output
Expression tag automatically converts into out.print()

**Example

html `

<%= GeeksforGeeks %>

**Explanation: In this example, the string "Welcome to GeeksforGeeks" will be printed directly in the client's browser.

**Output

out

output

Implementation of JSP Expression Tag

Step 1: Create Dynamic Web Project

Go to File -> New -> Dynamic Web Project
Project Name: Geeks
Select Apache Tomcat
Click Finish

**Step 2: Create index.html.

This HTML file takes the username from the user and sends it to Geeks.jsp on form submission

HTML `

Enter Username:

**Output:

output

Step 3: Create JSP File

Here we are creating a jsp file names as Geeks.jsp

HTML `

<%@ page language="java" contentType="text/html; charset=UTF-8" pageEncoding="UTF-8"%>

Insert title here <%= String name=request.getParameter("username"); out.print("Hello "+name); %>

**Explanation:

<%@ page ... %>: Sets page settings (Java language, UTF-8 encoding).
request.getParameter("username"): Retrieves the username entered in the HTML form.
<% ... %>: Used for writing Java code (e.g., storing the username in a variable).
<%= name %>: Outputs the value of name to the browser (auto-converted to out.print()).

If user enters Geeks, it displays: Hello Geeks!

**Output:

output