"Patch" for PropertyUtils...

[Arron <ar...@keyboardmonkey.com>]

Just  had a quick look into allowing implementations of java.util.List 
to act in place of arrays for the use of indexed properties.

Here's what's needed...
Replace lines 418 to 423 (inclusive. These line numbers are as of last 
night's build) with the below code...

Code start --==>>

    // Call the property getter and return the value
    Object value = readMethod.invoke(bean, new Object[0]);
    if (!value.getClass().isArray()) {
      if (!(value instanceof java.util.List)) {
        throw new IllegalArgumentException("Property '" + name
          + "' is not indexed");
      } else {
        return ((java.util.List)value).get(index);
      }
    }
    return (Array.get(value, index));

<<==-- code finish.

It's just that at the end of the getIndexedProperty method, it gives up 
on other versions of the indexed property and assumes it's been given an 
array. Just an extra check to see if it's a list before giving up.

I've checked the bean spec, and it only states Arrays, but the class 
already has support for Map implementations so why not Lists?...
The need for it came from Struts and people using the nesting extension, 
as currently they have to return Object[] which is a pain when you're 
using a perfectly good List implementation. It's a pain as the original 
iterator can use any collection (for it cares not for the correct naming 
of properties) but proper usage of properties means they're confined to 
return primitive array types.

The above code is tested, and works a treat. I changed all returned 
lists in my nesting example and it works perfect (nesting through three 
lists).


If it sits well with all, and is added, that'd be fantastic.


Arron.


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