How do I generate a number of text boxes depending on a stored value?

Question

I need to create a number of input boxes depending on a value in a backing bean. If the product allows 5 users I need 5 sets of input fields.

The number of input boxes is known when I load the page.

Any ideas? This one has had me stumped for a while now.

Answer 1

Let the bean prepare a List<Item> based on the number.

@ManagedBean
@ViewScoped
public class Bean {

    private int count;
    private List<Item> items;

    public Bean() {
        count = 5;
        items = new ArrayList<Item>();

        for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
            items.add(new Item());
        }
    }

    public void submit() {
        System.out.println(items);
    }

    public List<Item> getItems() {
        return items;
    }

}

Where the Item is just a simple Javabean with a value property.

Let the view iterate over it using <ui:repeat> or <h:dataTable>.

<h:form>
    <ui:repeat value="#{bean.items}" var="item">
        <h:inputText value="#{item.value}" /><br />
    </ui:repeat>

    <h:commandButton value="Submit" action="#{bean.submit}" />
</h:form>