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package javax.servlet.jsp.tagext;

import javax.servlet.jsp.JspContext;

Interface for defining Simple Tag Handlers.

Simple Tag Handlers differ from Classic Tag Handlers in that instead of supporting doStartTag() and doEndTag(), the SimpleTag interface provides a simple doTag() method, which is called once and only once for any given tag invocation. All tag logic, iteration, body evaluations, etc. are to be performed in this single method. Thus, simple tag handlers have the equivalent power of BodyTag, but with a much simpler lifecycle and interface.

To support body content, the setJspBody() method is provided. The container invokes the setJspBody() method with a JspFragment object encapsulating the body of the tag. The tag handler implementation can call invoke() on that fragment to evaluate the body as many times as it needs.

A SimpleTag handler must have a public no-args constructor. Most SimpleTag handlers should extend SimpleTagSupport.

Lifecycle

The following is a non-normative, brief overview of the SimpleTag lifecycle. Refer to the JSP Specification for details.

  1. A new tag handler instance is created each time by the container by calling the provided zero-args constructor. Unlike classic tag handlers, simple tag handlers are never cached and reused by the JSP container.
  2. The setJspContext() and setParent() methods are called by the container. The setParent() method is only called if the element is nested within another tag invocation.
  3. The setters for each attribute defined for this tag are called by the container.
  4. If a body exists, the setJspBody() method is called by the container to set the body of this tag, as a JspFragment. If the action element is empty in the page, this method is not called at all.
  5. The doTag() method is called by the container. All tag logic, iteration, body evaluations, etc. occur in this method.
  6. The doTag() method returns and all variables are synchronized.
See Also:
  • SimpleTagSupport
Since:2.0
/** * Interface for defining Simple Tag Handlers. * * <p>Simple Tag Handlers differ from Classic Tag Handlers in that instead * of supporting <code>doStartTag()</code> and <code>doEndTag()</code>, * the <code>SimpleTag</code> interface provides a simple * <code>doTag()</code> method, which is called once and only once for any * given tag invocation. All tag logic, iteration, body evaluations, etc. * are to be performed in this single method. Thus, simple tag handlers * have the equivalent power of <code>BodyTag</code>, but with a much * simpler lifecycle and interface.</p> * * <p>To support body content, the <code>setJspBody()</code> * method is provided. The container invokes the <code>setJspBody()</code> * method with a <code>JspFragment</code> object encapsulating the body of * the tag. The tag handler implementation can call * <code>invoke()</code> on that fragment to evaluate the body as * many times as it needs.</p> * * <p>A SimpleTag handler must have a public no-args constructor. Most * SimpleTag handlers should extend SimpleTagSupport.</p> * * <p><b>Lifecycle</b></p> * * <p>The following is a non-normative, brief overview of the * SimpleTag lifecycle. Refer to the JSP Specification for details.</p> * * <ol> * <li>A new tag handler instance is created each time by the container * by calling the provided zero-args constructor. Unlike classic * tag handlers, simple tag handlers are never cached and reused by * the JSP container.</li> * <li>The <code>setJspContext()</code> and <code>setParent()</code> * methods are called by the container. The <code>setParent()</code> * method is only called if the element is nested within another tag * invocation.</li> * <li>The setters for each attribute defined for this tag are called * by the container.</li> * <li>If a body exists, the <code>setJspBody()</code> method is called * by the container to set the body of this tag, as a * <code>JspFragment</code>. If the action element is empty in * the page, this method is not called at all.</li> * <li>The <code>doTag()</code> method is called by the container. All * tag logic, iteration, body evaluations, etc. occur in this * method.</li> * <li>The <code>doTag()</code> method returns and all variables are * synchronized.</li> * </ol> * * @see SimpleTagSupport * @since 2.0 */
public interface SimpleTag extends JspTag {
Called by the container to invoke this tag. The implementation of this method is provided by the tag library developer, and handles all tag processing, body iteration, etc.

The JSP container will resynchronize any AT_BEGIN and AT_END variables (defined by the associated tag file, TagExtraInfo, or TLD) after the invocation of doTag().

Throws:
  • JspException – If an error occurred while processing this tag.
  • SkipPageException – If the page that (either directly or indirectly) invoked this tag is to cease evaluation. A Simple Tag Handler generated from a tag file must throw this exception if an invoked Classic Tag Handler returned SKIP_PAGE or if an invoked Simple Tag Handler threw SkipPageException or if an invoked Jsp Fragment threw a SkipPageException.
  • IOException – If there was an error writing to the output stream.
/** * Called by the container to invoke this tag. * The implementation of this method is provided by the tag library * developer, and handles all tag processing, body iteration, etc. * * <p> * The JSP container will resynchronize any AT_BEGIN and AT_END * variables (defined by the associated tag file, TagExtraInfo, or TLD) * after the invocation of doTag(). * * @throws javax.servlet.jsp.JspException If an error occurred * while processing this tag. * @throws javax.servlet.jsp.SkipPageException If the page that * (either directly or indirectly) invoked this tag is to * cease evaluation. A Simple Tag Handler generated from a * tag file must throw this exception if an invoked Classic * Tag Handler returned SKIP_PAGE or if an invoked Simple * Tag Handler threw SkipPageException or if an invoked Jsp Fragment * threw a SkipPageException. * @throws java.io.IOException If there was an error writing to the * output stream. */
public void doTag() throws javax.servlet.jsp.JspException, java.io.IOException;
Sets the parent of this tag, for collaboration purposes.

The container invokes this method only if this tag invocation is nested within another tag invocation.

Params:
  • parent – the tag that encloses this tag
/** * Sets the parent of this tag, for collaboration purposes. * <p> * The container invokes this method only if this tag invocation is * nested within another tag invocation. * * @param parent the tag that encloses this tag */
public void setParent( JspTag parent );
Returns the parent of this tag, for collaboration purposes.
Returns:the parent of this tag
/** * Returns the parent of this tag, for collaboration purposes. * * @return the parent of this tag */
public JspTag getParent();
Called by the container to provide this tag handler with the JspContext for this invocation. An implementation should save this value.
Params:
  • pc – the page context for this invocation
See Also:
/** * Called by the container to provide this tag handler with * the <code>JspContext</code> for this invocation. * An implementation should save this value. * * @param pc the page context for this invocation * @see Tag#setPageContext */
public void setJspContext( JspContext pc );
Provides the body of this tag as a JspFragment object, able to be invoked zero or more times by the tag handler.

This method is invoked by the JSP page implementation object prior to doTag(). If the action element is empty in the page, this method is not called at all.

Params:
  • jspBody – The fragment encapsulating the body of this tag.
/** * Provides the body of this tag as a JspFragment object, able to be * invoked zero or more times by the tag handler. * <p> * This method is invoked by the JSP page implementation * object prior to <code>doTag()</code>. If the action element is * empty in the page, this method is not called at all. * * @param jspBody The fragment encapsulating the body of this tag. */
public void setJspBody( JspFragment jspBody ); }