Embedding Pages in Forms

The example in Form Basics shows a form that is defined in a single JSP. You might want to set the form’s dsp:form tags in one JSP and define the form contents in another,, as in this example:

<%@ taglib uri="http://www.atg.com/taglibs/daf/dspjspTaglib1_0" prefix="dsp" %>
<%@ taglib uri='http://java.sun.com/jsp/jstl/core' prefix='c' %>

<dsp:page>
<html>
<head><title>Form Entry</title></head>
<body><h1>Form Entry</h1>

<dsp:form action="/testPages/servbeantest.jsp" method="POST">
  <dsp:include page="formbody.jsp/>
</dsp:form>
</body>
</html>
</dsp:page>

The embedded JSP formbody.jsp contains the form’s input elements:

<%@ taglib uri="http://www.atg.com/taglibs/daf/dspjspTaglib1_0" prefix="dsp" %>
<%@ taglib uri='http://java.sun.com/jsp/jstl/core' prefix='c' %>

<dsp:page>

  <p>Name: <dsp:input bean="/samples/Student_01.name" type="text"/>
  <p>Age: <dsp:input bean="/samples/Student_01.age" type="text" value="30"/>
  <p><dsp:input type="submit" value="Click to submit"
      bean="/samples/Student_01.submit"/>

</dsp:page>

Note: An included page can contain element tags such as dsp:input, dsp:textarea, and dsp:select only if the page is a complete JSP—that is, it imports the required tag libraries and contains the dsp:page tag. Form elements cannot be embedded in a JSP fragment (.jspf) file).

By separating a form’s dsp:form tag from its actual contents, you can customize the form for different user types. For example, the dsp:form tag might embed a Switch servlet bean that renders different forms for different genders—for example, specifies to include formbodyFemale.jsp for female users and formbodyMale.jsp for male users.