Struts 2 is a popular open-source framework for developing Java web applications. It provides a powerful and flexible architecture for building modern web applications. One key feature of Struts 2 is the ability to easily navigate between different pages within an application. In this article, we will explore how to use the return to calling page feature in Struts 2.
When building a web application, it is common to have multiple pages that are linked together. For example, a user may fill out a form on one page and then be directed to another page for confirmation. In traditional web development, navigating back to the previous page would require the use of the browser's back button. However, with Struts 2, developers can easily implement a return to calling page functionality.
To use this feature, first, we need to understand the concept of a calling page. A calling page is the page that initiates the current request. In other words, it is the page that the user was on before being directed to the current page. Struts 2 maintains this information in the request context, making it easily accessible.
To return to the calling page, we can use the <s:action> tag in our JSP. This tag allows us to specify the desired action to be executed, along with any parameters that need to be passed. We can also use the "namespace" and "method" attributes to specify the namespace and method of the calling page. This ensures that the user is directed back to the exact page they were on before.
Let's take a look at an example. Suppose we have a form on our website that allows users to add new products. After successfully adding a product, we want to return the user to the page that displayed a list of all products. We can achieve this using the <s:action> tag as follows:
<s:form action="addProduct">
<s:textfield name="productName" label="Product Name"/>
<s:textfield name="productPrice" label="Product Price"/>
<s:submit value="Add Product"/>
</s:form>
<s:action namespace="/product" method="list"/>
In this example, the addProduct action will be executed when the form is submitted. Once the action is completed, the user will be directed back to the list method in the /product namespace, which will display the updated list of products.
It is worth noting that the return to calling page feature is not limited to <s:action> tags only. We can also use it with other Struts 2 tags, such as <s:submit> and <s:link>. This makes it a convenient and versatile feature for navigating between pages in our application.
Furthermore, Struts 2 also provides the ability to pass parameters to the calling page. This can be achieved by using the "includeParams" attribute in the <s:action> tag. This allows us to pass any necessary data back to the calling page, making it easier to maintain the state of our application.
In conclusion, the return to calling page feature in Struts 2 is a powerful tool for navigating between pages in a web application. It allows us to easily direct users back to the page they were on before, without relying on the browser's back button. This adds a level of convenience and user-friendliness to our application. So, the next time you are building a web application with Struts 2, be sure to utilize this feature for a seamless user experience.
