2 Portlet Specs and URL encoding…

Still working on the file upload portlet for my current client. I’ve decided to change gears and parse the request in a servlet rather than the portlet itself. Why? I think it will allow me to create a second form on the Portlet’s JSP and encode it in whatever way I need.

The portlet complies with JSR168, not the WebSphere portlet API. Seeing as it’s portal, I need to encode the URL to the servlet…easy enough.

String servletURL=response.encodeURL("/UploadServlet");

and pass this variable into the form’s action attribute and I’m done.

…except…I get a “Page Not Found” error and the following shows up on the console:

Servlet Request Processor Exception: Virtual Host/WebGroup Not Found ….

hmmm

So I could go into everything I tried in figuring out why this very simple little example didn’t work but I’ll save you the time and anguish. Turns out the IBM’er beside the IBM’er I was working with knew what the issue was….had he chimed in a little earlier (hint for the future Jimmy), we would have saved a little grief but I’m still grateful for his involvement.

Turns out a JSR168 portlet needs an additional bit of magic to encode a url. You need to use the following:

String servletURL=response.encodeURL(renderRequest.getContextPath()+ "/UploadServlet");

with renderRequest doing the heavy lifting. Add that and you’re gold.

This entry was posted in JSP and Servlets, JSR168, Portal. Bookmark the permalink.

Originally published at http://jamiemcilroy.wordpress.com on October 4, 2006.