title: Expression Language: variables vs. attributes
body: <p>I think I'm missing something basic regarding Expression Language.</p>
  
  <p><strong>practice.jsp</strong> (below) outputs <code>14</code>, as expected.</p>
  
  <pre><code>&lt;jsp:scriptlet&gt;
      request.setAttribute("a", 5);
      request.setAttribute("b", 9);
  &lt;/jsp:scriptlet&gt;
  
  ${a+b}
  </code></pre>
  
  <p><strong>practice2.jsp</strong> (below) outputs <code>0</code>.</p>
  
  <pre><code>&lt;jsp:scriptlet&gt;
      Integer a = 5;
      Integer b = 9;
  &lt;/jsp:scriptlet&gt;
  
  ${a+b}
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>What is going on in practice2.jsp?
  Why can't EL seem to evaluate these variables? 
  Is this a scope issue, or am I missing something bigger?</p>