I have written a new way to solve this issue with the idea I described
below. After receiving responses to my original post I was going to use
NonFacesRequestServlet but realized that it wouldn't do any validation.
(At least I am PERTTY sure it doesn't. Someone correct me if I am wrong.)
What I have done is created a servlet filter that can be used to make it
seem as if a person has already loaded the page and has filled it out
and clicked a link or button. -- simply by requesting a URL. What I did
is a servlet filter that makes a request to the JSF page, searches the
response for form fields, and then merges those fields default values
with the request parameters from the real request. It then calls
doChain(...) with a wrapped http request that has all the values from
the form and the real request. This makes it possible to seem as if
someone went to the page and clicked a button or link. (In fact it does
happen, but the filter does it.)
For example the following url can be used on an order form I am creating
to cause the next button to be pushed.
register.html?doReq=true&formId=placeOrder&placeOrder:next=true
doReq=true triggers the fitler. FormId is the id of the form.
PlaceOrder:next is a button I am causing to be pushed.
I did all of this because I have a multi step form with a step in the
middle that is on another site. Using this filter I can make the
external step send the user back to the JSF form and cause an action to
take place when it comes back.
What are peoples opinion on this approach?
(I don't know how the API having to do with JSF's life cycle works so
maybe its possible to do this type of thing from a servlet so a fake
request doesn't have to be made.)
Thanks,
David
David Schlotfeldt wrote:
I need a way to have a URL that will cause a JSF action to take place.
Anyone know of a way? (For an example, lets say I need to put the link
in an email.)
All I find are "hackerish" javascript solutions to this issue.
Would it be possible to create a version of the commandLink that
didn't need a form around it and didn't use javascript? Obviously it
couldn't include any information from form fields but that is okay
with me.
Or would it be possible to create a servelet filter that converts a
normal request to a request JSF wants?
Eg. We have a form with a field called 'name' and a button called
'sayHi'. With the filter I could send a person to a url like
http://test.com/page-form-is-on.html?link=sayHi&name=David
The filter would take the request and convert convert the params
into what JSF wants. I don't know how to do this... except maybe make
a fake request in the fitler to the JSF for the form to get
jsf_state_64 and jsf_tree_64 values and then send the request on with
the request parameters rewritten.
Suggestions? Anyone know of a good solution? (...other than mine
that would take me 3 weeks, 4 days, and 7382 Red Bulls...)
