PQ58795: AN EMPTY STRING AS THE ATTRIBUTE VALUE FOR A CUSTOM TAG CAUSES A "UNABLE TO CONVERT TO STRING" MESSAGE ON BROWSER

 A fix is available

PQ58795, 4.0: Empty strings as the attribute value for custom tags



APAR status
Closed as program error.

Error description
Customer has created custom tags, in a .tld file.  In a jsp,
an empty string value is used as the attribute value of a custom
tag.  This causes the message JSP error unable to convert to
string class name ={attribute type} attribute = {attribute name}
to be displayed on the browser.
The is on WAS 4.0.2 with APAR 
PQ57258 applied.
On WAS 4.0.2 without 
PQ57258, the result is java.lang.Error:
Fatal Error: missing resource.
Keywords: WebSphere 4.0.2 custom tag empty string attribute
Local fix
Do not use an empty string for the value.
Problem summary
****************************************************************
* USERS AFFECTED: WebSphere Application Server developers      *
*                 using jsp's with custom tags.                *
****************************************************************
* PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: WebSphere returns an error message      *
*                      "unable to convert string" when custom  *
*                      tag attribute value is set to an        *
*                      empty String object.                    *
****************************************************************
* RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
****************************************************************
WebSphere jsp processor is unable to process a custom tag
attribute containing an empty string for a value. This is
working according to the specification. However,  this was
a behavior change introduced when implementing performance
improvements for custom tag libs.
Problem conclusion
Since this was a change in behavior, WebSphere needed to
provide backwards compatibility for exisiting customers.
Modified the WebSphere code to permit existing jsp's
containing custom tags with empty values to execute
while maintaining the performance improvements that
were introduced.
Temporary fix
//wasdoc0/apars/pq58795/4.0.2
Comments
APAR information
APAR number PQ58795
Reported component name WEBSPHERE AE AI
Reported component ID 5630A2200
Reported release 400
Status CLOSED PER
PE NoPE
HIPER NoHIPER
Submitted date 2002-03-06
Closed date 2002-03-29
Last modified date 2002-03-29

APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Modules/Macros
JSP          

SRLS

Fix information
Fixed component name WEBSPHERE AE AI
Fixed component ID 5630A2200

Applicable component levels
R400 PSY    UP


Document Information


Product categories: Software > Application Servers > Distributed Application & Web Servers > WebSphere Application Server > General
Operating system(s):
Software version: 400
Software edition:
Reference #: PQ58795
IBM Group: Software Group
Modified date: Mar 29, 2002