taglib element in web.xml

[Garlapati Ravi]

Hi All,

<jsp-config>
  <tag-lib>
    ...
  </tag-lib>
</jsp-config>

I have two question:
1)does the above element comes under <web-app> or <jsp-config>.
in Head First it mentioned to be in <jsp-config>, but in BEA site, it was mentioned in <web-app> tag.

2)what is the exact usage/importance of this tag in web.xml, do we really need it, if yes, when ?
we could able do the same with taglib directive in JSP itself.

Regards,
Ravi Kumar
[ May 26, 2008: Message edited by: Garla Ravi ]

[Musab Al-Rawi]

It comes under jsp-config, check the spec's.

In the old days you would specify where the tag files exist, but with the new spec's there is no need for that as the container looks at the 4 known locations. Yet you can still use this tag to specify where tag files are.

[Garlapati Ravi]

but i can do the same task with taglib directive.

Could you please tell me exactly one instance where tag-lib is mandatory to use, which we can't do it by taglib directive.

[Musab Al-Rawi]

I am sorry I can't think of any, but as I recall the spec's talks about directive in details.

[Christophe Verré]

Could you please tell me exactly one instance where tag-lib is mandatory to use, which we can't do it by taglib directive.

First of all, it is not a mandatory tag. I guess they left it for compatibility, for people upgrading for an old web.xml, to minimize the downgrade volume.

[Garlapati Ravi]

That makes sense, thank you Christophe.