<argList> Element

This <argList> element is a child of the <componentRef> element. This element specifies a list of values to be used as component variable settings for the referenced component when it is installed. The format of this <argList> is the same as that of the <argList> child element of the <call> step. See <call> Step.

If the reference is ABSTRACT, each attribute of the <argList> element names a component variable in the referenced component or the declared type. The value of the attribute for the <argList> element is the override value that should be used for the named component variable when the referenced component is installed.

When a component reference is overridden by a derived component, the <argList> element of the base and derived components are effectively merged. This merge is accomplished by applying the contents of the <argList> of the base component to the referenced component, then applying the <argList> of the derived component. When processing the <argList> of the base component reference, only variables that are defined in the declared type of the base component reference are considered.

Component variables that are not named in the <argList> use their default value when installed. If no <argList> is specified, the referenced component is installed and uses default values for all its variables. The variables of the referenced component named in the <argList> must be accessible to the referencing component. Furthermore, the variables must be declared with the PUBLIC or PROTECTED access mode, and cannot be FINAL.

For top-level referenced components, the <argList> element is only used if the referenced component is installed by the referencing component. The referenced component could have been installed by other means, in which case the <argList> has no bearing.