ServletRequest.getParameterMap() returns Map and ServletRequest.getParameter() returns String?

It returns all parameter values for controls with the same name.

For example:

<input type="checkbox" name="cars" value="audi" /> Audi
<input type="checkbox" name="cars" value="ford" /> Ford
<input type="checkbox" name="cars" value="opel" /> Opel

or

<select name="cars" multiple>
    <option value="audi">Audi</option>
    <option value="ford">Ford</option>
    <option value="opel">Opel</option>
</select>

Any checked/selected values will come in as:

String[] cars = request.getParameterValues("cars");

It’s also useful for multiple selections in tables:

<table>
    <tr>
        <th>Delete?</th>
        <th>Foo</th>
    </tr>
    <c:forEach items="${list}" var="item">
        <tr>
            <td><input type="checkbox" name="delete" value="${item.id}"></td>
            <td>${item.foo}</td>
        </tr>
    </c:forEach>
</table>

in combination with

itemDAO.delete(request.getParameterValues("delete"));