Servlet / JSP Interaction

Question

I know this is probably a "newbie" question, but can someone give me some examples of interaction between a servlet and a JSP page? I am trying to convert a client side Java application that basically parses log files into a servlet that can be initiated through a webpage.
My servlet is called LogExaminer and has a method called "getItStarted" that initiates the log file scanning. I tried just constructing it from the JSP like this, but I got some Java-related errors:
<%
LogExaminer lx = new LogExaminer();
lx.getItStarted();
%>Is this an acceptable method for instantiating the servlet and calling a method?
I tried just putting some simple write commands into the "doGet" method to test viewing the page. However, when I deployed the WAR on JRun, it gives me 404 errors when I try to go to http://hostname:8100/LogParser/LogParserServlet. However, when I try deploying the WAR on JBoss and doing the same thing, it shows me what I expected.
I created a simple "Hello World" JSP page and put that in the WAR file. Both JBoss and JRun were able to recognize it, so it looks like I'm forced to control/execute the servlet with a JSP page.

Answer 1

Is this an acceptable method for instantiating the servlet and calling a methodNo, this is an acceptible way of invoking a normal java class, not a servlet. Servlets need to be instantiated in run by the webserver by means of either calling it using a browser, or linking/redirecting to it from a JSP.
When a servlet cannot be found, this is most likely due to it not being properly mapped inside the web.xml file, or the .class file is not stored in the proper directory. The fact that JBoss could run the servlet is a mystery to me however, one would expect that both servers would behave the same...
One thing that I can think of: is your servlet part of a package? If not that may be the problem, you should always put servlets in a package.