scoped variable as attribute

[Henrique Sousa]

Hi folks,

Is it possible to use some scoped variable (or its properties) in attributes of JSF tags? I tried JSP expressions (${variable.property} or ${scope.var.prop}), but the compiler complained that I can't use expressions in attributes.
So far, in order to do that kind of thing I obtain the needed object from a managed-bean property (therefore using #{managedBean.prop}). Is this the right way to do things?
Thanks in advance

[Varun Khanna]

Is it possible to use some scoped variable (or its properties) in attributes of JSF tags?

You certainly can, for e.g. through managed bean getters setters

Is this the right way to do things?

Can you explain what are you trying to do?

[Henrique Sousa]

Sorry for the late reply, I was out for the weekend. Anyway, what I would like to achieve is something like this:

<h:dataTable value="someVariable" ...>
  <!-- the usual -->
</h:dataTable>

where "someVariable" is a variable in request or session scope but not declared as a managed-bean. My first approach was to use JSP Expression Language (JSP 2.0 specs):

<h:dataTable value="${requestScope.someVariable}" ...>
  <!-- the usual -->
</h:dataTable>

but it didn't work because I can't use EL in attributes of JSF tags. Other naive approaches didn't work either: "#{someVariable}", "someVariable", ...
The only way I did get it working was by setting the object to some managed-bean in the desired scope, as you suggested:

/// faces-config.xml (just what matters)
<managed-bean>
    <managed-bean-name>SomeBean</managed-bean-name>
    <managed-bean-scope>request</managed-bean-scope>
</managed-bean>
 
/// Some action class
Object obj = ...;
MyClass someBean = (MyClass)extContext.getRequestMap().get("SomeBean");
someBean.setSomeProperty(obj);
 
/// JSP page
<h:dataTable value="#{SomeBean.someProperty}" ...>
  <!-- the usual -->
</h:dataTable>

Is this the only way to do this?
[ June 13, 2005: Message edited by: Henrique Sousa ]