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javaservletshttp-request-parametershttp-request-attribute

Difference between getAttribute() and getParameter()

What are the differences between the getAttribute() and the getParameter() methods in HttpServletRequest?

Solution

    • getParameter() returns http request parameters. These are passed from the client to the server. For example http://example.com/servlet?parameter=1. They can only return String.

    • getAttribute() is for server-side usage only - you fill the request with attributes that you can use within the same request. For example - you set an attribute in a Servlet and read it from a JSP. These can be used for any object, not just string.