How to Implement DataTables in JavaServer Faces (JSF)

Question

How can I effectively implement DataTables in JavaServer Faces (JSF)?

<h:form>
    <h:dataTable value="#{dataTableBean.items}" var="item">
        <h:column>
            <f:facet name="header">Item Name</f:facet>
            #{item.name}
        </h:column>
        <h:column>
            <f:facet name="header">Item Price</f:facet>
            #{item.price}
        </h:column>
    </h:dataTable>
</h:form>

Answer

Integrating DataTables, a popular jQuery plugin, into your JSF application enhances the functionality of your HTML tables, enabling features such as pagination, filtering, and sorting. This guide outlines the steps required to seamlessly integrate DataTables with JSF.

<html>
<head>
    <title>DataTables Example</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.10.20/css/jquery.dataTables.css">
    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf8" src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.5.1.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf8" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.10.20/js/jquery.dataTables.js"></script>
    <script>
        $(document).ready(function() {
            $('#myTable').DataTable();
        });
    </script>
</head>
<body>
    <h:form>
        <h:dataTable id="myTable" value="#{dataTableBean.items}" var="item">
            <h:column>
                <f:facet name="header">Item Name</f:facet>
                #{item.name}
            </h:column>
            <h:column>
                <f:facet name="header">Item Price</f:facet>
                #{item.price}
            </h:column>
        </h:dataTable>
    </h:form>
</body>
</html>

Causes

Lack of jQuery integration in JSF pages.
Insufficient knowledge of JSF components and lifecycle.
Not utilizing Ajax with JSF for dynamic data loading.

Solutions

Include the DataTables JavaScript and CSS files in your JSF project.
Create a JSF backing bean to provide data for the DataTable.
Use the h:dataTable component to display data while applying DataTables functionality for added features.

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Forgetting to include jQuery or DataTables scripts.

Solution: Ensure that both jQuery and DataTables JavaScript files are correctly referenced in your HTML.

Mistake: Not initializing DataTables on the correct table element.

Solution: Make sure to use the correct CSS selector to initialize the DataTables plugin for the specific table.

Mistake: Improper data binding in JSF causing an empty table.

Solution: Double-check that the managed bean provides the correct data format and is accessible.

Helpers

JSF DataTables integration
JavaServer Faces DataTable example
use DataTables with JSF
JSF data table enhancements
jquery DataTables JSF