Backing Bean Validation Method error

Question

Hi all,
I've an ADF JSF User Registration Form and I want to set my server-side validation to confirm passwords entered by the user using the validator attribute bound to customized validation logic sitting in a method my backing bean. I've tried quite a few cracks at this but I still seem to get a java.lang.NullPointerException error when the method is invoked.
The relevant method in my Backing Bean looks like this:
public void comparePassword(FacesContext facesContext, UIComponent uiComponent, Object newValue) {
//Get the new value that is passed passed from the Confirm Password field
String confirmPassword = (String)newValue;
//Get the password that has already been entered
String password = (String)getLoginPasswordText().getValue();
//Compare passwords and raise validation error message
if (!password.equals(confirmPassword)){
throw new ValidatorException(new FacesMessage
(FacesMessage.SEVERITY_ERROR,
"Passwords need to be the same",
"Password values should be the same"));
The getters and setters for the components are also in the bean and the gettLoginPasswordText() returns the original password input text field (the one that I want to compare it to).
Is there something that I've missed here?
Cheers

Answer 1

Thanks Frank.
I now understand a bit more about value binding. But unfortunately I need a little more help (from anyone) on this one. I've tried quite a few things and I think the problem stems from the fact that the validation code doesn't seem to pickup the value entered in the comparison field - at least in the way that I've coded it. Here's a more complete example of what I'm trying to overcome:
I've got two input text components:
<af:inputText required="true" simple="true"
id="loginPasswordText"
immediate="true"
value="#{backing_UserRegistration.password1}">
</af:inputText>
<af:inputText required="true" simple="true"
id="loginConfirmPasswordText"
immediate="true"
validator="#{backing_UserRegistration.comparePassword}"
value="#{backing_UserRegistration.password2}">
</af:inputText>
I've setup the relevant accessors as in the following:
String password1 = "";
public String getPassword1(){
return password1;
String password2 = "";
public String getPassword2(){
return password2;
And my validation now code looks like this:
public void comparePassword(FacesContext context, UIComponent toValidate, Object value) {
if (!Password2.equals(Password1)) {
FacesMessage msg = new FacesMessage("summary message", " detailed message");
msg.setSeverity(FacesMessage.SEVERITY_INFO);
ValidatorException e = new ValidatorException(msg);
throw e;
I've tested the validation code on a standalone basis ie passing in a new variable as part of the method ie.
String word = (String) value;
if (word.equals("tom"))....
The validator and message fires OK, so I know the problem lies with picking up the entered values for password1 and password2. I know the values are there because I can "see" them on screen and they are recognized by standalone validators and the bean has a session scope.
Ideas anyone?
Thanks