Difference between <forrward> in <action-mappings> and <forward> in <global-forwards>

[Deepaks Deshpande]

Hi,

What is the difference between <forward> declared in the <global-forwards> tag and <forward> declared in the <action-mappings> tag. Also both the <forward> tags have the same attributes as well. i.e "name" and "path".

Thank you.

[lalit upadheyay]

A global forward is defined in a Struts configuration file and invoked in a JSP page. A local forward is defined in a Struts configuration file in an action mapping and is invoked when the action is invoked.

Following is an example of global forwards in the struts-config.xml file of the struts-example sample application:

<global-forwards>
  <forward   name="logoff"               path="/logoff.do"/>
  <forward   name="logon"                path="/logon.jsp"/>
  <forward   name="success"              path="/mainMenu.jsp"/>
</global-forwards>

The logoff forward is invoked in mainMenu.jsp as follows:
test.jsp:
<html:link forward="logoff"><bean:message key="mainMenu.logoff"/></html:link>

Another example for global forward is:

<global-forwards>
		<forward name="init" path="init.do" redirect="false"></forward>
		<forward name="home" path="/home.do" redirect="false"/>
		<forward name="sessionExpired" path="logout.do?reason=timeout" redirect="false"/>
</global-forwards>

index.jsp:
<logic:forward name="init"/>

Note: we can get a reference to global and local forward in an action using actionmapping.findforwsrd(String) method.

[David Newton]

Global forwards are available across the entire application. "Local" forwards are available only within the action that defines them.

[Deepaks Deshpande]

Thank you Lalit and David.