I just read [this great answer](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2422468/how-to-upload-files-in-jsp-servlet/2424824#2424824) from BalusC about how to upload files with the 3.0 Servlet API.

My question is about the use of `request.getParameter()` for common fields. For example, if my form looks like this :

```html
<form action="/upload" method="post" enctype="multipart/form-data">
    <fieldset>
        <label for="description">File description:</label>
        <input type="text" id="description" name="description" value="" />

        <label for="uploadedFile">File:</label>
        <input type="file" id="uploadedFile" name="uploadedFile" />

        <input type="submit" value="Send" />              
    </fieldset>
</form>

```

Following what BalusC explained, I should manipulate the InputStream returned by `part.getInputStream()` to get the content of the **description** field. Why is that ? I tried to simply call `request.getParameter("description")`, and it seems to work fine.

I use Tomcat 7.0.20.

Thanks for your help.