Does the XML config support List as a standalone element?

[cokieffe]

I am trying to create a list with elements and have other beans reference this list. It seems the only way to do this is something like the following

<bean id="attributeList" class="org.springframework.beans.factory.config.Me thodInvokingFactoryBean">
<property name="targetObject"><ref local="characterPrototype"/></property>
<property name="targetMethod"><value>getAttributes</value></property>
</bean>


<bean id="call00" class="org.springframework.beans.factory.config.Me thodInvokingFactoryBean">
<property name="targetObject"><ref local="pdPrototype"/></property>
<property name="targetMethod"><value>setAttributeList</value></property>
<property name="arguments">
<list>
<ref bean="attributeList"/>
</list>
</property>
</bean>

Is there a mechanism to make a list a top level element in the application context?
<list id="attributeList>
<ref bean="..."/>
</list>

<bean ..>
<property name="attributeList">
<ref bean="attributeList" />
</property>
</bean>

In general can any of the bean element tags (List, Set, Map, and Properties) be used at the top level?

thanks

[jbetancourt]

Can't you just use a List as a bean?

<bean id="myList"
class="java.util.ArrayList">
<property name .......
<list>
stuff....
</list>
</bean>

[gpoirier]

There's two ways you can do that:

  <bean id="list1" class="org.springframework.beans.factory.config.ListFactoryBean">
    <property name="sourceList">
      <list>
        <value>123</value>
        <value>456</value>
        <value>789</value>
      </list>
    </property>
  </bean>

  <bean id="list2" class="java.util.LinkedList">
    <constructor-arg>
      <list>
        <value>123</value>
        <value>456</value>
        <value>789</value>
      </list>      
    </constructor-arg>
  </bean>

[cokieffe]

thanks