Bit #32 - Locating a component on the client

To locate a component on the client side of an ADF Faces application use any of the AdfUIComponent.findComponent() or AdfPage.PAGE.findComponentByAbsoluteId() methods. Both of these methods accept the component's identifier. The difference between the two is that while AdfUIComponent.findComponent() accepts a relative expression representing the component identifier, AdfPage.PAGE.findComponentByAbsoluteId() expects an absolute expression for the component's identifier. Absolute expressions use a fully qualified client identifier with a leading separator character, for example :container1:container2:componentId.

To guaranty that a client side instance of the component exists, ensure that you have set the component's clientComponent property to true. Alternatively, you can add a clientListener to the component instead.

Finally, do not use the AdfPage.PAGE.findComponent() method because its implementation may change from release to release.

Example:

function exampleFunc(actionEvent) { 
    var someComponent=actionEvent.getSource();
    // use findComponent() to locate a component relative to 'someComponent'
    var someOtherComponent=someComponent.findComponent("componentId");
    someOtherComponent.setValue("Hello") 
} 

Context:

ADF Faces