Is there an easy way to compare two strings in a jsp?

Answer 1

Not sure if I get you right, but the simplest way would be something like:

<c:if test="${languageBean.locale == 'en'">
  <f:selectItems value="#{customerBean.selectableCommands_limited_en}" />
</c:if>

Just a quick copy and paste from an app of mine...

HTH

Answer 2

In Expression Language you can just use the == or eq operator to compare object values. Behind the scenes they will actually use the Object#equals(). This way is done so, because in EL you cannot invoke methods with other signatures than standard getter (and setter) methods.

So the particular line

<c:when test="${lang}.equals(${pageLang})">

should be written as (note that the whole expression is inside the { and })

<c:when test="${lang == pageLang}">

or

<c:when test="${lang eq pageLang}">

Both are behind the scenes roughly interpreted as

jspContext.findAttribute("lang").equals(jspContext.findAttribute("pageLang"))

If you want to compare constant String values, then you need to quote it

<c:when test="${lang == 'en'}">

which is behind the scenes roughly interpreted as

jspContext.findAttribute("lang").equals("en")