trouble with first time bean. "no such property" exception

I'm new to using beans in jsp's, and I've written a java class that is basically nothing but private variables, with public getter and setter methods to access them. However, when I try to set the values, i get a "no such property" exception. Of course I've checked to make 100% certain the parameter names and the property names in the java class are identical, the class file is in the right place/package in the webinf/classes directory, etc. I'm using JRun4. Is there something I'm missing here? Can I not simply place the class file in the proper package in webinf/classes, point <jsp:useBean> to the right place to create the object, and be ready to go or do I have to jar the class file? As long as the property name and the parameter name are identical, i should be able to set the properties using <jsp:setProperty id="beanName" property="*">, right? Like I said, I'm new to this, so please forgive for the lame question. Any hints will be greatly appreciated.
[ September 02, 2004: Message edited by: Bill Brasskey ]

Yes, that should work. What names are you giving to the form elements, and what are their corresponding mutators in your bean?

Form element name is (for example)"applicant_last_name", with the corresponding variable in the java class being identical.
[ September 02, 2004: Message edited by: Bill Brasskey ]

Form element name is (for example)"applicant_last_name", with the corresponding variable in the java class being identical.

What you name the variable doesn't mean a hill of beans (pun absolutely intended). You need to familiarize yourself with the JavaBean property rules a bit.

If the name of your form element is "applicantLastName", your bean needs to have a mutator (setter) with the name setApplicantLastName. Note the casing; it's mandatory.

If you don't follow the JavaBean property naming rules, it just won't work.

ahhhhh...
indeed.
thanks, man.