Getting objects from model

[smv]

I have a JSP view which is passed a model consisting of several business objects. I have logic defined within my business objects and can access them through "is" methods, ie: isClosed() : boolean.

How do I obtain these objects from the model so that I can then perform a test of the object's state? For example, in my controller I create a Map consisting of an object Car and this is passed to my JSTL view via the ModelAndView object. I need to display a link in my view only if Car.isRunning() is true.

I've tried <c:if test="${model.car.isRunning()}">...</c:if> but that didn't work. I'm new to JSP and JSTL programming, so I don't know if this is a Spring or a JSTL question.

Thanks!
smv

[Keith Donald]

I think the problem may be in the "model" prefix in your variable path. Where did that come from? Remember the model map is a set of name=value pairs. Before a jsp page is rendered, the name=value pairs are injected as attributes in request scope. So in your jsp page, you simply access each request attribute by name; for example:

   [in controller code, prepping the model content for the view]
     modelMap.put("myCar", new Car("Grand Marquis"));
     ...
   [in jsp page]
    <c&#58;if test="$&#123;myCar.isRunning&#40;&#41;&#125;>...</c&#58;if>

HTH!

Yes, I really do drive a Grand Marquis ;-)

[smv]

Hi Kevin!

The "model" came from the name of the Map when I was constructing the ModelAndView object: return new ModelAndView("viewPage", "model", model);

I tried both <c:if test="${myCar.isRunning()}"> and <c:if test="${model.myCar.isRunning()}"> and I receive a similar ServletException each time: The function isRunning must be used with a prefix when a default namespace is not specified.

I've tried to Google the error message, but I've come up with dead ends. Just to be sure, this is how I am creating my model and returning it:

Map model = new HashMap();
model.put("myCar", new Car("Grand Marquis"));
return new ModelAndView("myView", "model", model);

Thanks again!
smv

[mraible]

JSTL doesn't support calling methods explicitly. However, you should be able to access getters and boolean getters (i.e. isProperty()). Just remove the get/is:

<c:if test="${myCar.running}">

[Keith Donald]

Thanks Matt I didn't even seen that ;-) smv that definitely sounds like the other half of your problem!

[smv]

Yes! That worked perfectly! Thank you both for helping me on this issue. I need to read more about JSTL as I thought it only worked on "get" accessors.

smv