Question

I’ve a little problem right there. When I want to populate DataTable in JSF I have to create a model first, then use it in my view. Like on Primefaces sample here.

And now, I have to create DataTable that will display data, that came from webservice. I don’t know how many columns there will be, and I don’t know their names… Could you recommend some wise solution ?

PS. I don’t know also how to returned data from webservice – it is still to determine.

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EDIT

public Bean() {
    columns = new ArrayList<String>();  
    rows = new ArrayList<Map<String, Object>>();         
    populateColumns(columns,4);   

    for(int i = 0 ; i < 6 ; i++)  
    {               
        Map<String,Object> m = new HashMap<String,Object>();
        m.clear();          
        for(int j = 0 ; j < 4 ; j++)  
        {
            m.put("Column" + j, "sth" + j + i);
        }                                               
        rows.add(m);
    }       
}

private void populateColumns(List<String> list, int size) {  
    for(int i = 0 ; i < size ; i++)  
        list.add("Column" + i);
}  

Answer 1

Collect the data in a List<Map<String, Object>> which represents the rows property. The Map represents the columns, keyed by a column name (if necessary, just autogenerated such as column1, column2, column3, etc by "column" + i). Collect those column names in a separate List<String> which represents the columns property. Finally show it as follows by <p:columns>:

<p:dataTable value="#{bean.rows}" var="row">
    <p:columns value="#{bean.columns}" var="column">
        #{row[column]}
    </p:columns>
</p:dataTable>