Enum inside a JSP

Question

Is there a way to use Enum values inside a JSP without using scriptlets.

e.g.

package com.example;

public enum Direction {
    ASC,
    DESC
}

so in the JSP I want to do something like this

<c:if test="${foo.direction ==<% com.example.Direction.ASC %>}">...

score 21 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 02 '08 at 16:57

You could implement the web-friendly text for a direction within the enum as a field:


<%@ page import="com.example.Direction" %>
...
<p>Direction is <%=foo.direction.getFriendlyName()%></p>
<% if (foo.direction == Direction.ASC) { %>
<p>That means you're going to heaven!</p>
<% } %>

but that mixes the view and the model, although for simple uses it can be view-independent ("Ascending", "Descending", etc).

Unless you don't like putting straight Java into your JSP pages, even when used for basic things like comparisons.

Mohammed Aslam · Answer 2 · 2020-09-26T09:05:54.857

4

It can be done like this I guess

<c:set var="ASC" value="<%=Direction.ASC%>"/>
<c:if test="${foo.direction == ASC}"></c:if>

the advantage is when we refactor it will reflect here too

edited Sep 26 '20 at 09:05

answered Feb 09 '18 at 10:06

Mohammed Aslam

925
8
14

Why did you unvote it? Please comment the reason. – Mohammed Aslam Feb 10 '18 at 06:48
If its because JSP expression look at the accepted answer he is also using it – Mohammed Aslam Feb 10 '18 at 07:09

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 09 '12 at 12:43

2

You can simply check against the enum value as a string:

<c:if test="${foo.direction == 'ASC'}">...

answered Apr 09 '12 at 12:43

Arnoud

235
1
4

4

Using hard-coded String is a bad idea – saharsh-jain Nov 25 '16 at 08:59
1

Avoid hardcoded Strings. What if your enum is changed ? – user2447161 Jun 22 '17 at 12:06
1

Perhaps this is not the best solution. But it is still better than bulky Java code in JSP page. – saidfagan Nov 02 '17 at 13:56

Enum inside a JSP

3 Answers3

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