Web Server Environment Windows, Apache/Tomcat and Java

Introduction

An overview of the system configuration and directory (or folder) structure for a Web Server environment that supports Java, JSP and Beans. An Apache/Tomcat Server running on a Windows System is used for this description.

We have made a significant effort to ensure the documents and software technologies are correct and accurate. We reserve the right to make changes without notice at any time. The function delivered in this version is based upon the enhancement requests from a specific group of users. The intent is to provide changes as the need arises and in a timeframe that is dependent upon the availability of resources.

Copyright © 1987-2024
SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved

Directory Structure

The following shows the directory (or folder) structure used on a Windows/7 and Windows/8 testing system running on a laptop.

Execution, Server

For transaction processing that uses Java Server Pages (JSP) it will be necessary to install and configure a Web Server. The Apache/Tomcat Web Server will be used with this project.

Web Server Start

The following is the user-defined Windows Command file (SYS1TCOPEN.cmd) that is used to start the Apache/Tomcat Server.

@echo OFF
     set CmdName=SYS1TCOPEN
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *             Batch Job Script - a Windows Command File             *
rem  *       This Job Script is provided by SimoTime Technologies        *
rem  *           (C) Copyright 1987-2020 All Rights Reserved             *
rem  *             Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
rem  *                   e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *
rem  * Text   - Start Apache/Tomcat Server.
rem  * Author - SimoTime Technologies
rem  * Date   - January 24, 1996
rem  *
rem  * This user-defined job script will set the necessary environment
rem  * variables and start the Apache Tomcat Server.
rem  *
rem  * Ths script will make calls to the following Windows Command Files.
rem  * 1. ENV1BASE.CMD - this provides a single point for setting commonly
rem  *                   used environment variables.
rem  * 2. SIMONOTE.CMD - this provides a consistent process for displaying
rem  *                   messages to the screen and writing to a journal
rem  *                   or log file.
rem  *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  * Step 1, Set the Environment...
rem  *
     call ..\..\ENV1BASE %CmdName%
     if "%SYSLOG%" == "" set syslog=c:\SimoLIBR\LOGS\SimoTime.LOG
     set JobStatus=0000
rem  *
     call SIMONOTE "*******************************************************%CmdName%"
     call SIMONOTE "* Starting CmdName %CmdName% - Start Apache/Tomcat Server"
rem  *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  * Step 2, Start Apache/Tomcat Server...
rem  *
     call SIMONOTE "* CLASSPATH ........ %CLASSPATH%"
     call SIMONOTE "* CATALINA_HOME .... %CATALINA_HOME%"
     call SIMONOTE "* JRE_HOME ......... %JRE_HOME%"
     call SIMONOTE "* Bulletin Startup Tomcat"
rem  *
     set PATHLOGFILE=%BASELIB1%\LOGS\
     set PATHPCFCOMP=%BASELIB1%\SIMOGENS\COMPARES\
     set PATHPCFHOLD=c:\AC2020\SP06\DEVL\HOLD\JVUI\
     call SIMONOTE "PATHLOGCOMP=%PATHLOGCOMP%"
rem  * The following call statement will startup the Apache/Tomcat Server
     call %CATALINA_HOME%\bin\startup
rem  * The preceding call statement will startup the Apache/Tomcat Server
     if not ERRORLEVEL = 0 set JobStatus=0010
     if not %JobStatus% == 0000 goto :EojNok
:EojAok
     call SIMONOTE "* Finished JobName %CmdName%, Job Status is %JobStatus%"
     goto :End
:EojNok
     call SIMONOTE "* ABENDING JobName %CmdName%, Job Status is %JobStatus%"
:End
     if not "%1" == "nopause" pause

Web Server Shutdown

The following is the user-defined Windows Command file (SYS1TCSHUT.cmd) that is used to shutdown the Apache/Tomcat Server.

@echo OFF
     set CmdName=SYS1TCSHUT
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *             Batch Job Script - a Windows Command File             *
rem  *       This Job Script is provided by SimoTime Technologies        *
rem  *           (C) Copyright 1987-2020 All Rights Reserved             *
rem  *             Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
rem  *                   e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *
rem  * Text   - Shutdown Apache/Tomcat Server.
rem  * Author - SimoTime Technologies
rem  * Date   - January 24, 1996
rem  *
rem  * This user-defined job script will set the necessary environment
rem  * variables and shutdown the Apache Tomcat Server.
rem  *
rem  * Ths script will make calls to the following Windows Command Files.
rem  * 1. ENV1BASE.CMD - this provides a single point for setting commonly
rem  *                   used environment variables.
rem  * 2. SIMONOTE.CMD - this provides a consistent process for displaying
rem  *                   messages to the screen and writing to a journal
rem  *                   or log file.
rem  *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  * Step 1, Set the Environment...
rem  *
     call ..\..\ENV1BASE %CmdName%
     if "%SYSLOG%" == "" set syslog=c:\SimoLIBR\LOGS\SimoTime.LOG
     set JobStatus=0000
rem  *
     call SIMONOTE "*******************************************************%CmdName%"
     call SIMONOTE "* Starting Job Name is %CmdName% - Shutdown Tomcat Server"
rem  *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  * Step 2, Shutdown Apache/Tomcat Server...
rem  *
     call SIMONOTE "* Bulletin Shutdown Tomcat"
rem  * The following call statement will shutdown the Apache/Tomcat Server
     call %CATALINA_HOME%\bin\shutdown
rem  * The preceding call statement will shutdown the Apache/Tomcat Server
     if not ERRORLEVEL = 0 set JobStatus=0010
     if not %JobStatus% == 0000 goto :EojNok
:EojAok
     call SIMONOTE "* Finished Job Name is %CmdName%, Job Status is %JobStatus%"
     goto :End
:EojNok
     call SIMONOTE "* ABENDING Job Name is %CmdName%, Job Status is %JobStatus%"
:End
     if not "%1" == "nopause" pause

Preparation

This section describes the preparation work that is required to build a Web Server environment that supports Java, JSP and Beans. Apache/Tomcat running on a Windows System is used for this effort.

Environment Variables

Before running Tomcat the JAVA_HOME and CATALINA_HOME environmental variables must be set correctly.

CATALINA_HOME

This is this location for the top-level directory where the Apache/Tomcat is installed.

CATALINA_HOME=C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52

JAVA_HOME

The Java Development Kit (JDK) is installed in the following directory. This environment variable is used when the JDK is installed.

JAVA_HOME=C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_112\bin

JRE_HOME

The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is installed in the following directory. This environment variable is used when the JRE is installed.

JRE_HOME=C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.8.0_112\bin

CLASSPATH

The following is a list of the "SET" statements that are used to define the CLASSPATH environment variable for a Windows environment.

     set CLASSPATH=.
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%JAVABASE%
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%JAVABASE%\lib
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;\%USERCLASS%\simpacks
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52\webapps\simotcat\WEB-INF\classes
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52\webapps\simotcat\WEB-INF\classes\simpacks

USERCLASS, BASELIB1 and JAVABASE are user-defined environment variables. The USERCLASS environment variable points to a load library for the application.

     set USERCLASS=%BASELIB1%\LOADLIB

The BASELIB1 environment variable points to a directory and sub-directory structure that is used for development puropses.

     set BASELIB1=c:\SIMOSAM1\DEVL

The JAVABASE environment variable points to the directory where the Java Developers Kit (JDK) is located.

     set JAVABASE=C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_112

Technical Details

This section provides detailed technical information about the components required or referenced in this suite of programs.

Java Server Pages (JSP)

WIP

JSP Declaration Tag

A Declaration Tag is a block of java code used to declare class wide variables, methods and classes. Whatever is placed inside the Declaration Tags will get initialized during the JSP initialization phase and will have class scope.

<%!  Declaration %>

JSP Scriplets

A JSP scriptlet is used to contain any code fragment that is valid for the scripting language used in a page. The syntax for a scriptlet is as follows:

<%
   scripting-language-statements
%>

When the scripting language is set to java, a scriptlet is transformed into a Java programming language statement fragment and it is inserted into the service method of the JSP’s servlet. A programming language variable created within a scriptlet is accessible from anywhere within the JSP page.

JSP Expression Tag

Expression tag is used to display output of data on a generated page. The data placed in an Expression tag prints on the output stream and automatically converts the data into a string. The Expression tag can contain any Java expression used for printing output equivalent to out.println().Therefore, an expression tag contains a scripting language expression which is evaluated, the data is automatically converted to a String and the outputs are displayed.
Notation of Expression tag is shown below:

<%=
   scripting-language-expression
%>

An Expression tag must begin with <%=. Inside the Expression tag, the user embeds a Java expression. The Expression tag ends with the notation %>.

Note:  An Expression should not contain a semicolon between codes, as with a Declaration tag.

JSP Directives

JSP directives provide directions and instructions to the container, telling it how to handle certain aspects of JSP processing. The format for a JSP Directives statement is as follows.

<%@ directive attribute="value" %>

Include Directive

The Include directive is used to copy the content of one JSP page into another. It’s like including the code of one file into another.

<%@include file="myjsp.jsp"%>

Page Directive

The page directive is used to provide instructions to the container that pertain to the current JSP page. You may code page directives anywhere in your JSP page. By convention, page directives are typically placed at the top of the JSP page.

<%@page contentType="text/html" import="java.util.*" %>

Java Standard Tag Library (JSTL)

JSTL is a Standard Tag Library that provides tags to control the JSP page behavior. JSTL tags are categorized into five groups based on functional support.

JSTL is part of the Java EE API. It is included in most servlet containers. But to use JSTL in JSP pages the JSTL jars will need to be copied into the web application project WEB-INF/lib directory.

JSTL Core Tags

JSTL Core tags provide support for iteration, conditional logic and more. To use JSTL core tags it will be necessary to define it in the JSP page as shown below.

<%@ taglib uri="https://java.sun.com/jsp/jstl/core" prefix="c" %>

<%@ taglib prefix="fmt" uri="http://java.sun.com/jsp/jstl/fmt" %>

Note: The preceding tags and the following snippets of code were copied from the test cases used at SimoTime.

JSTL Simple if

The following shows a snippet of JSTL tags being used within a JSP member.

JSTL Choose

The following shows a snippet of JSTL tags being used within a JSP member to determine how the JSP Form is presented to the user.

Ancillary Functions

This suite of programs references other system and user members in order to function in a larger environment that includes other languages and sub-systems. The following link provides additional details.

    Explore How to use Common or Shared Routines that perform repetitive tasks in a consistent manner. This link will provide information about setting common environment variables and many other utilitarian tasks.

Summary

An overview of the system configuration and directory (or folder) structure for a Web Server environment that supports Java, JSP and Beans. This document may be used to assist as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers.

In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This documentation and software were developed and tested on systems that are configured for a SIMOTIME environment based on the hardware, operating systems, user requirements and security requirements. Therefore, adjustments may be needed to execute the jobs and programs when transferred to a system of a different architecture or configuration.

SIMOTIME Services has experience in moving or sharing data or application processing across a variety of systems. For additional information about SIMOTIME Services or Technologies please contact us using the information in the  Contact or Feedback  section of this document.

Software Agreement and Disclaimer

Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software, documentation or training material for any purpose requires a fee to be paid to SimoTime Technologies. Once the fee is received by SimoTime the latest version of the software, documentation or training material will be delivered and a license will be granted for use within an enterprise, provided the SimoTime copyright notice appear on all copies of the software. The SimoTime name or Logo may not be used in any advertising or publicity pertaining to the use of the software without the written permission of SimoTime Technologies.

SimoTime Technologies makes no warranty or representations about the suitability of the software, documentation or learning material for any purpose. It is provided "AS IS" without any expressed or implied warranty, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. SimoTime Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the loss of use, data or projects, whether in an action of contract or tort, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this software, documentation or training material.

Downloads and Links

This section includes links to documents with additional information that are beyond the scope and purpose of this document. The first group of documents may be available from a local system or via an internet connection, the second group of documents will require an internet connection.

Note: A SimoTime License is required for the items to be made available on a local system or server.

Current Server or Internet Access

The following links may be to the current server or to the Internet.

Note: The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the icon. If a user has a SimoTime Enterprise License the Documents and Program Suites may be available on a local server and accessed using the icon.

    Explore the Java Connection for examples of the various coding or programming techniques using the Java Software Development Kit from Oracle/Sun.

    Explore An Enterprise System Model that describes and demonstrates how Applications that were running on a Mainframe System and non-relational data that was located on the Mainframe System were copied and deployed in a Microsoft Windows environment with Micro Focus Enterprise Server.

    Explore The ASCII and EBCDIC Translation Tables. These tables are provided for individuals that need to better understand the bit structures and differences of the encoding formats.

Internet Access Required

The following links will require an internet connection.

A good place to start is The SimoTime Home Page for access to white papers, program examples and product information. This link requires an Internet Connection

Explore The Micro Focus Web Site for more information about products (including Micro Focus COBOL) and services available from Micro Focus. This link requires an Internet Connection.

Glossary of Terms

    Explore the Glossary of Terms for a list of terms and definitions used in this suite of documents and white papers.

Contact or Feedback

This document was created and is maintained by SimoTime Technologies. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or feedback please use the following contact information.

We appreciate hearing from you.

Company Overview

SimoTime Technologies was founded in 1987 and is a privately owned company. We specialize in the creation and deployment of business applications using new or existing technologies and services. We have a team of individuals that understand the broad range of technologies being used in today's environments. Our customers include small businesses using Internet technologies to corporations using very large mainframe systems.

Quite often, to reach larger markets or provide a higher level of service to existing customers it requires the newer Internet technologies to work in a complementary manner with existing corporate mainframe systems. We specialize in preparing applications and the associated data that are currently residing on a single platform to be distributed across a variety of platforms.

Preparing the application programs will require the transfer of source members that will be compiled and deployed on the target platform. The data will need to be transferred between the systems and may need to be converted and validated at various stages within the process. SimoTime has the technology, services and experience to assist in the application and data management tasks involved with doing business in a multi-system environment.

Whether you want to use the Internet to expand into new market segments or as a delivery vehicle for existing business functions simply give us a call or check the web site at http://www.simotime.com