JSF UI Components

Java Server Faces (JSF) is a framework that makes the development of User Interfaces simpler with the help of UI components in a page. The JSF pattern describes a collection of standard UI components and offers an API for building components. JSF permits the UI components to expand and these JSF UI components are reusable.

Functions of the JSF UI components

JSF allows the developers to build Web applications from a set of UI components, which can deliver themselves in various forms for several client types. Functional overview of these JSF UI components are provided below:

• h:inputText tag appears as a field and lets user to enter a string. This tag is delivered as html, single-line text input control.
• h:outputText tag delivers a single line of text output, which appears as a plain text.
• h:form tag stands for an input form.
• h:commandButton offers a form to a request. It is delivered as a html <input type=value> element in which the value may be (i) submit, (ii) reset, (iii) image or (iv) push button.
• h:inputTextarea tag appears as a multi-row field and permits the user to input a multi-line string. It is delivered as html, multi-line text input control.
• h:commandLink tag is used for linking to a new page or position on a page. It appears as a link and acts like a push button.
• h:inputSecret tag enables user to enter a string without any need for the real string to appear in the field. It is delivered as html password input control. This tag appears as a field that presents a line of characters.
• h:inputHidden permits the developer to add a hidden variable in a page. It is delivered as html, hidden element.
• h:inputFile permits a file to be uploaded and this tag appears as a field with browse button.
• h:graphicImage tag presents an image.
• h:dataTable signifies a data wrapping. It is delivered as an attribute rich table control. The table can be revised dynamically.
• h:message presents the latest or fresh message from a component and it appears as a text string.
• h:messages presents all the contained messages.
• h:outputFormat tag presents the output text, but formats only the compound messages.
• h:outputLabel presents a nested element in the form of a label for a particular input field.
• h:outputLink is used for linking to a new page or position on a page, excluding the generation of an action event.
• h:panelGrid provides a table. It is delivered as html <table> element along with (i) <tr> and (ii) <td> components.
• h:panelGroup assembles a collection of components under a single parent. It is delivered as html <span> or <div> element. It appears as a line in a table.
• h:selectBooleanCheckbox permits the user to modify the value of a Boolean option.
• h:selectManyCheckbox presents a collection of check boxes from which a developer can choose numerous values.
• h:selectManyListbox permits the users to choose numerous objects from a collection of objects, all presented instantaneously. It appears as a multi-select list box.
• h:selectManyMenu permits the user to choose numerous items from a collection of items. It appears as a menu (multi-select menu).
• h:selectOneListbox permits the user to choose a single item from a collection of items all presented at once.   It is delivered as html <select> element. It appears as single-select list box.
• h:selectOneMenu permits the user to choose single item from a collection of items. It appears as a single-select menu.
• h:selectOneRadio permits the user to choose single item from a collection of items. It is delivered as html <input type=”radio”> element. It appears as a collection of radio buttons.
• h:column signifies a column of information in a data component. It is delivered as a column of information in the html table.