How To Access Page Element Value from Backing Bean

I have received question from ADF newbie developer, who is starting to work with the framework. Question was simple, however I have decided to post it on the blog - simple topic for a change. It happens we work too much on complex things and forget about simple ones. Today I will describe how you can access Page Element (Input Text, etc.) value from Backing Bean.

First thing, you should register Java class as a bean. If you are working with page/fragment from bounded task flow, register it under that task flow:

There is Binding property in Advanced section, for every Page Element, it will reference component binding accessible from the bean class. I will use DepartmentName attribute in this example. Also I will declare my Page Element to have auto submit functionality - this will invoke Value Change Listener:

For the demonstration purpose, I will declare one more DepartmentName attribute value in page definition - DepartmentNameTest:

There are four different approaches implemented in the bean class. First is accessing element binding and getting its value. Another approach works with current row from iterator. Third approach is accessing attribute value from page definition. I prefer this approach, it makes implementation more loosely coupled and independent from the model refactoring. There is fourth approach as well - to get new value from value change listener directly:

We can press Test button, DepartmentName value will be accessed in the bean class:

Value is accessed:

DepartmentName value is changed:

Accessed from value change listener:

Download sample application - InputTextValueAccess.zip