Dynamic HTML Form Generation

Question

I need to generate HTML forms in Java. I don't know in advance what fields are needed, those will probably be delivered in XML (i have some say over this). I could use the same input file to handle the form submission.

Are there libs, techniques that deal with this problem? I can't imagine that there aren't, but i can't find a suitable solution. I looked at XForms, but it seems that there's not enough adoption from browsers.

Any ideas? Much obliged.

( Context: JSR-286 compliant portlet (using Liferay atm) )

Answer 1

Try using XSLT to transform your XML input to your HTML output.
Check this site for an example for the XSLT part and this site for the JAVA-XSLT connection.

Answer 2

Hello

as already said, XSLT can be used to transform your input to htmlif you got an XML input.

Otherwise, a template engine can be used. i had success with Velocity (from the open source project Jakarta).

Regards,

Answer 3

Hello,

XSLTForms is an XSLT-based XForms engine for browsers. Of course, it can also be used on server-side. It's an opensource project.

The corresponding "compiler" will soon be available with technical documentation. It will permit you to customize it and add your own specific behavior.