a possible feature for a4j framework

[ilya40umov]

As I know a4j completely re-renderes specified by id DOM element with all its childs and thus if you are re-rendering too big piece of a screen user's screen can leap and user will definetly dislike this.

Is it possible to implement some attribute/tag etc. which will force a4j to re-render page in more smart way?

For instance:

<a4j:someElement reRender(or render)="container" justValue="true"/>

<h:panelGroup>

     <h:inputText value="#{...}"/>

     <h:inputText value="#{...}"/>

</h:panelGroup>

If a4j sees that justValue="true" then it refreshes only values of internal components(like with $("...").value();). Yes it will take more time because it should work with DOM tree and response in a more complicated way, but it can be very useful in some cases.

Could it be "easily" implemented or it's too difficult and unneeded?

[nbelaevski]

Ilya,

JSF 2 AJAX declares "attributes" element that allows to update particular set of element attributes. However, to implement this feature, either updated component should be aware of this feature or full rendering & page content comparison with extraction of changes will be required. As a workaround, updates can be done simply via JS code.

[ilya40umov]

Thanks Nick. I guess that a workaround is clear and it can solve this but it'll be very painful when you need to do this kind of re-rendering all the time.

P.S. I don't do such things =) it's only my thoughts about a4j.