Question

Is that correct:
When I query a value before validation (or if validation failed) I have to use getSubmittedValue();. Once the value is validated, even if I query it in another validation later in the page/control I have to use .getValue(); since getSubmittedValue(); returns null after successful validation?

Answer 1

There’s a slightly easier way: if you’re just expecting a simple single-value String, just call:

var compare = firstField.getValueAsString();

Otherwise, call:

var compare = com.ibm.xsp.util.FacesUtil.convertValue(facesContext, firstField);

The former calls the latter anyway, but is obviously a terser syntax. This does what you’re looking for and more:

1. If the value hasn’t yet been validated, returns the submitted value
2. If validation has already passed, returns the value after it’s already been processed by any converters and / or content filters, so particularly in cases where you’re trying to compare two field values, this should ensure that both values have been properly trimmed, etc., and is therefore less likely to return a false positive than just comparing the raw submitted values.