In this chapter, we explored how the RichFaces and Ajax4jsf component libraries can be combined to create next generation JSF applications using the full Java EE technology stack. We looked at examples of how to accept user input using a range of advanced components, such as the in-place input and in-place select, number slider, number spinbox, calendar, color picker, combo box, suggestion box, pick list, and rich text editor RichFaces components.
The JBoss RichFaces and Ajax4jsf component libraries add a wealth of Ajax capabilities to existing JSF applications. To use Ajax effectively, we learned how to invoke an Ajax request using the Ajax4jsf<a4j:commandButton>
and<a4j:commandLink>
tags, how to add Ajax capabilities to other JSF components using the<a4j:support>
tag, and how to poll the server using the<a4j:poll>
tag. We also examined a number of ways to minimize client/server communication, reduce the size of JSON data structures, and optimize Ajax performance...