when JavaServer Page tag
Use the
when
tag to conditionalize a segment of HTML or XML, whether
used for display, user input or correspondence. Use it to control whether stream processing
includes, or omits, parts of HTML text under conditions that you determine. You can base the
conditions on Boolean values returned by properties, Java methods, or when condition rules.
Examples
Example A. Using the test attribute, you can check the value of a text property using the Java == operator.
<!-- does the property .Color have the exact value RED? -->
<pega:when test=".Color == 'RED' " >
... other HTML code here ...
</pega:when >
Example B: Assume an HTML rule contains the following HTML segment:
<!-- When this work item has resolved properties set -->
<pega:when name="HasBeenResolved" >
<font class="dataLabelStyle">Resolved by</font>
<pega:reference name=".pyResolvedUserID" />
</pega:when >
This when tag references a when condition rule named HasBeenResolved. At run time, if this rule evaluates to true, the output HTML contains the text "Resolved by" followed by the ID of the user who resolved the work item.
Complete syntax
In the syntax presentations below:
-
Square bracket characters
[
and]
surround optional parts of the tag. Do not type the brackets. - JSP delimiters <pega: and </pega: mark the start and end of the tag.
- Replace any text in italics with your choice of value of that type.
<pega:when
[name="When rule" ]
[java="<%=expression %>"]
[test="keyword"]>
HTML segment to include if true
</pega:when >
Exactly one attribute —
test
,
name
, or
java
— must appear.
Attribute | Description |
---|---|
name
|
The name (second key part) of a when rule to be evaluated. |
java
|
A Java expression that evaluates to true or false. You can use the Java
operators any standard Java operators within the expression. For example:
|
test
|
Other test conditions, typically using the keywords
You can't use the <% and %> delimiters to insert inline Java code into a test condition. Additionally, complex conditions involving multiple || or && operators are not supported. For example, you can test the contents of the scratchpad:
|
Referencing a when condition rule with the name attribute
Use the
name
attribute to identify a when condition rule. At run time,
the system determines the
Applies To
key part of the when rule from
the
Applies To
key part of the current rule, and uses rule resolution
to locate the when rule.
When you save the current rule, the system confirms that the when condition rule you referenced is found.
The $mode-input and $input-enabled keywords
Two boolean keywords useful in control rules are available if an active property reference appears at the current position in the source HTML. These Booleans let you conditionalize stream processing based on the stream processing context.
-
The
$MODE-INPUT
keyword is true when all of the following are true:- The current stream is an input-enabled stream.
- The keyword is part of the processing of a <pega:reference > tag that specifies the INPUT option, with or without a stream name value.
- The current property identified in the <pega:reference > tag is modifiable.
-
The
$INPUT-ENABLED
keyword indicates that this HTML stream accepts input. This keyword is normally true, unless it falls within the scope of a <pega:include > tag that uses theNOINPUT mode.
For example:
<pega:when test="!$mode-input">this area is read-only </pega:when>
<pega:when test="$mode-input"> this area may allow input </pega:when>
<pega:when test="$input-enabled">this area may allow input</pega:when>
The
$mode-display
keyword is deprecated for new development; use
!$mode-input
instead.
Using when tags with choose
To implement more sophisticated testing and conditional operation in a stream rule, use a when tag within a choose tag. The otherwise tag, used only within a choose tag body, implements a none-of-the-above choice. See JavaServer Page Tags — choose.
Using a When rule
Use the name attribute to identify a when condition rule. At run time, system determines the Applies To key part of the when rule from the Applies To key part of the current rule, and uses rule resolution to locate the when rule.
When you save the current rule, the system confirms that the when condition rule you referenced is found.
The When condition rule is evaluated at run time on its own primary page, which may not be the primary page of the HTML or other stream rule. Review the Pages & Classes tab of the when condition to find its primary page. You can temporarily change the base page of the HTML rule during stream processing using the withPage tag.
Using PublicAPI methods
Use the
test
attribute to condition the output HTML on the results of
these PublicAPI methods:
To determine whether a property value is presented as an input field, use the
isModifiable
PublicAPI method, which returns
True
if
the property is modifiable. The underlying Java code determines whether a specific property
is modifiable or not.
<pega:when test="$THIS:isModifiable" >
<input type="text">
</pega:when>
To determine whether a property is scalar, use the isScalar PublicAPI method. Only scalar property references can be displayed or input in HTML.
<pega:when test="$THIS:isScalar" >
<input type="text">
</pega:when>
To determine whether the current active property is a special property, use the isSpecial PublicAPI method:
<pega:when test="$THIS:isSpecial" >
<input type="text">
</pega:when>
Evaluating a Java expression
Use the
java
attribute within the when JSP tag to evaluate a boolean Java
statement. Enclose the java statement within the normal JSP delimiters <% and %>
For example:
<pega:when java=
"<%= tools.getParamValue("one").
equalsIgnoreCase(tools.getParamValue("two")) %>">
<H1>Update <p:r n=".pyID" /> <p:r n=".pyLabel" /> </H1>
</pega:when>
Working with more than one condition
If your JSP tag contains more than one expression, you can combine them using standard Java logical operators. Examples:
&& is the AND operator
<pega:when test="Monday && Morning" >
do something
</pega:when>
|| is the inclusive OR operator
<pega:when test="VIP || NewCustomer" >
do something
</pega:when>
! is the NOT operator
<pega:when test= ".customerID !=18" >
do something
</pega:when>
Use only one of these operators in the Java statement. Expressions involving multiple
operators or parentheses are not supported in the
test
attribute.