How to output a string attribute on an object that may be be null

Question

As part of a dataTable in a seam JSF page, one column requires the output of a name:

<h:outputText value="#{listing.staffMember.name}"/>

The problem is that "staffMember" may be null on some listings, so I get the error:

javax.el.ELException: /xxxxx.xhtml @42,67 value="#{listing.staffMember.name}": Error reading 'name' on type xxxx.model.AgentStaff_$$_javassist_152

If the value is null, I don't want any text rendered. I tried this:

<h:outputText value="#{listing.staffMember.name}" rendered="#{listing.staffMember != null}"/>

But the same error comes up.

How can I output a property on an object that may be null?

Answer 1

You could probably use the ternary operator, which would look something like:

value="#{listing.staffMember != null ? listing.staffMember.name : 'None'}"

Or you could use the c:if tag.

Answer 2

Could you try this (always worked for me):

<h:outputText value="#{listing.staffMember.name}" 
              rendered="#{not empty listing.staffMember}"/>

Not sure what the difference is with comparing to null.