In the Web applications, Model-View-Controller pattern is commonly employed. Used as the View in the pattern in Java technology, JavaServer Page (JSP) is one of the most important parts for globalization in the web application. To enable JSP for globalization, many inline Java codes will be used in the JSP inevitably. The inline Java code implements the globalization functions such as single executable, localization package manager, and local model. These codes, however, make the JSP difficult to be developed, and hard to be maintained.
JSP technology allows developers to introduce new customized tags as user-defined JSP language element. The globalization functions are common or mostly same for the globalization function. Implementation a JSP Taglib for globalization will change many inline Java codes to simple tags. The taglib can also be reused easily for projects. Using taglib for globalization will speed up JSP development by more or less eliminating the need for scripting elements and the inevitable hard-to-find syntax errors and by freeing up time previously spent on developing and learning zillions of project-specific custom actions for common globalization tasks.
In this paper, we first explain the global view architecture for multilingual Web application. After introducing the JSP taglib, we illustrate how to the implement taglib for some common tasks for globalization. Then we discuss the value of taglib for globalization by JSP example. We also discuss the necessity of developing tools to facilitate taglib promotion.
Taglib for globalization will be a good component for on-demand globalization solutions. Taglib bases on open standards and is easy for integration with clear and readable interface. It can enable application developers to focus on their core business.
Xu YiZhen
Globalization Certification Lab, IBM Shanghai
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