Dynamic Tooltips in JSP with Struts 2: A Guide to Internationalization and Ognl Usage
This blog post will guide you through creating dynamic tooltips in JSP using Struts 2, leveraging the power of internationalization (i18n) and the Object-Graph Navigation Language (OGNL). Tooltips provide valuable on-the-fly information to users without cluttering the interface. By dynamically generating these tooltips using Struts 2 tags and OGNL expressions, we can deliver context-aware and localized hints, enhancing user experience.
Internationalization for Tooltips: Making Them Global
When crafting tooltips, especially for web applications with a global user base, internationalization becomes crucial. We want our tooltips to speak the user's language, ensuring seamless understanding and accessibility. Struts 2 offers robust support for i18n, making it easy to translate tooltips into multiple languages.
1. Resource Bundles for Localized Tooltips
First, we need resource bundles to store our tooltip messages. Each bundle corresponds to a specific language. For instance, a "messages_en.properties" file would hold English tooltips, while "messages_fr.properties" would contain French translations.
messages_en.properties tooltip.username = Enter your username tooltip.password = Input your password 2. Setting the Locale
Struts 2 utilizes the user's browser locale to automatically select the appropriate resource bundle. If a user's browser language is set to French, the application will load the "messages_fr.properties" file.
3. Using the Tag for Localization
The Struts 2
This code snippet displays a text field with the label "Username" and a tooltip. The
OGNL Expressions: The Power of Dynamic Tooltips
While basic tooltips are helpful, dynamic tooltips can provide even greater context. OGNL (Object-Graph Navigation Language) allows us to dynamically generate tooltip content based on data in our application.
1. Accessing Data in OGNL
OGNL expressions can access properties of Java objects, including action class attributes, session variables, and application data. This enables us to tailor tooltip messages based on user input, application state, or other relevant factors.
In this example, the tooltip message for the email field uses the email variable, which could be set by the action class or retrieved from a form submission. The getText() method utilizes the email value in the tooltip message, resulting in a dynamic tooltip that varies depending on the entered email address.
2. Conditional Tooltips
OGNL's conditional logic allows us to create tooltips that appear only under certain conditions. We can use the ? : operator (ternary operator) to display a tooltip depending on a specific criterion.
This code shows a password field where the tooltip text changes based on the password's length. If the password is less than 8 characters, it displays the message from tooltip.password.weak; otherwise, it uses tooltip.password.strong.
Example: A Dynamic Tooltip for Usernames
Let's illustrate dynamic tooltips with a concrete example. Suppose we have a user registration form where we want to provide helpful tips about choosing a username.
This code demonstrates how to create dynamic tooltips for a username field. The tooltip text is dynamic because it uses the username value passed from the JSP page. Also, it allows to change the tooltip class based on whether the username is valid or not.
Dynamic Tooltips: A User Experience Booster
Dynamic tooltips, powered by Struts 2 tags and OGNL expressions, offer a powerful means to enrich user interactions. They provide contextual and localized guidance, enhancing user experience and fostering a smoother workflow.
By combining the flexibility of OGNL with the power of internationalization, we can craft tooltips that adapt to various situations and languages, making web applications more user-friendly and accessible.
Remember to test your tooltips thoroughly across different browsers and locales to ensure they function as intended.
Conclusion
This blog post has shown you how to use Struts 2 and OGNL to create dynamic tooltips in JSP. We have discussed how to use internationalization to make your tooltips accessible to a global audience, and how to use OGNL expressions to make your tooltips dynamic and informative.
By implementing dynamic tooltips, you can significantly enhance your web applications' user experience, providing valuable assistance and guidance to users.
For more in-depth information about Struts 2 and OGNL, please consult the official documentation here. If you're looking for a solution to the Angular Google Maps Error: "Object literal may only specify known properties, and 'target' does not exist in type 'CameraConfig'" - Solved! error, you can find a detailed explanation and solution at that link.
