How to build custom JSF components?

Question

The JSF tutorials demonstrate ways to build JSF web "applications" ...
I am interested in developing JSF web "components" ... Is there any resource that I can avail of or if it's possible for some of u to share a sample ...
thanks much,
keyur

Answer 1

Hi Keyur,
The tutorial does need to include a custom component example. We have been working on an example and it's just about done. We need to work out some bugs, get it working on the RI that is publicly available, and document it.
If you need to get started in the meantime, here are some basic steps for creating a custom component:
1. Write a tag handler class that extends javax.faces.webapp.FacesTag. In this
class, you need:
* a getRendererType method, which returns the name of your custom renderer, if
you are using one (explained in step 4).
* a createComponent method, which returns an instance of your custom component.
* an overrideProperties method, in which you set all of the new attributes of
your component.
2. Create a TLD that associates the custom tag to the tag handler.
3. Write a class that either extends a standard JSF component or extends directly from javax.faces.component.UIComponentBase.
If a standard JSF component has most of the functionality you need, you can extend the component class that defines this component. These classes are found in the javax.faces.component package. Otherwise, extend UIComponentBase.
4. Either create a custom renderer by extending javax.faces.render.Renderer, or include the rendering code in one of the encodeXXX methods of your custom
component class. From the encodeXXX method, use the ResponseWriter from FacesContext to write out the markup. If what you need to render is fairly
simple, it's easier to include the rendering code in the component class.
5. From your ServletContextListener instance, register your Renderer to the standard RenderKit by: using RenderKitFactory to get the RenderKit, and using
addRenderer on the RenderKit to add your new Renderer. You only need to do this if you created a Renderer in step 4.
6. Declare your new TLD in your JSP page and use the tag in the page.
This will all be clearer once we publish the custom component documentation. We are working on it presently and will announce its release on this forum.
Thank you for your interest in JavaServer Faces