I have a no framework java application. It consists of jsp files for view and servlets for the business logic. I must set the user session is the servlet with a firstName parameter. In the jsp file, I need to check if my firstName parameter has a value or not. If the firstName parameter is set, I need to display some html in the jsp file. If it is not set, I need to display different html in the jsp file.

Servlet.java:

HttpSession session = request.getSession();
session.setAttribute("firstName", customer.getFristName());
String url = "/index.jsp";
RequestDispatcher dispatcher = getServletContext().getRequestDispatcher(url);
dispatcher.forward(request, response);

header.jsp:

// Between the <p> tags bellow I need to put some HTML with the following rules
// If firstName exist: Hello ${firstName} <a href="logout.jsp">Log out</a>
// Else: <a href="login.jsp">Login</a> or <a href="register.jsp">Register</a>

<p class="credentials" id="cr"></p>

What would be the best way to do this? Any help is much appreciated! Thank you in advance.

-Marta