ZK Developer's Reference/UI Composing/Composite Component

Like a macro component, a composite component is an approach to compose a component based on a template. Unlike a macro component, a composite component has to create and wire the child components by itself, and handle ID space if necessary. The advantage is that a composite component can extend from any component, such as Row, such that it is easier to fit to any situation (and no need of the inline concept).

In short, it is suggested use a macro component if applicable (since it is easier), while using a composite component otherwise.

Implement a Composite Component

First, you have to decide which component to extend from. Div is a common choice since it is a simple component. However, here our example extends from Row, so it can be used under Rows, which the regular macros cannot.

Second, you have implement a template (in a ZUML document) to define what child components the composite component has. Then, you have to implement a Java class to put them together.

Implement a Template

The implementation of a template is straightforward. There is nothing special to handle. Since it is rendered by Execution.createComponents(String, Component, Map), you could pass whatever data you prefer to it (thru the arg argument).

Suppose we have a template as follows.

<zk>
  Usename: <textbox id="mc_who"/>
</zk>

Version History

Last Update : 2010/11/9

Version	Date	Content