A ".jsp" is a Java Server Page file. This type of file contains HTML code, the building blocks of a website. There are multiple platforms of HTML, of which Java is just one (others include platforms such as C++). A .jsp file is written using Java code, and is best viewed in Java-compatible web browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox and Safari (on Macs) and Internet Explorer and Google Chrome (on Windows). A .jsp file can be edited using a variety of methods.
Using An Editor Plug-In
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Step 1
Download a .jsp editor plug-in from the internet. Many websites, including MyEclipse, offer free software for editing .jsp files.
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Step 2
Follow the menu and prompts from the software publisher to install the plug-in.
Step 3
Complete the installation process by restarting your computer.
Step 4
Find the plug-in from your computer's menu to open it. Make it easier to find in the future by creating a desktop shortcut by right-clicking on the plug-in and selecting "create shortcut" from the drop-down menu.
Step 5
Create a new file using the plug-in, or modify an existing .jsp file. You will have to use Java code and correct HTML in order for the file to work properly, otherwise you will have errors in your code that will prevent it from displaying properly online.
Step 6
Save your file as a .jsp.
Using A Text-Editor Program
Step 1
Purchase software specifically designed to edit .jsp files, such as IBM's WebSphere Studio. Follow the instruction guide included with your purchase to install the software onto your computer.
Step 2
Open the program and begin creating your file, or editing an existing file. Add various elements to your Java code. IBM's WebStudio Sphere allows users to insert comments, custom tags and much more into the file. This can be done by using the Attributes, Quick Edit or Snippets view.
Step 3
Test your code by clicking on the "Run Validation" option in IBM's WebStudio menu. Other .jsp-compatible software should also come with ways for you to test your code's functionality before publishing to the web.
Step 4
Save your file as a .jsp.
Step 5
Publish your .jsp file to the web. Some software, like IBM's, comes with an option that can publish your code to a desired website with a single click of the mouse.