retain values from dll when submit reload page

Question

Hi everyone, I am trying to retain dropdownlist values with jstl and EL but I did not understand what mean every parameter here. I tried this example with changes corresponding my case but nothing is displayed. So this is the example:

<select name="foo">
<c:forEach items="${options}" var="option">
    <option value="${option.value}" ${option.value == param['foo'] ? 'selected' : ''}>${option.label}</option>
</c:forEach>

I want to know the meaning of each parameter and how we can use it.and if there is a simple way to run it. Iam a novice in JSTL and EL and i use Eclipse with JSP/SERVLET. Thank you for help