jstl - Checking a checkbox based on a database entry on a JSP page

Question

This is my checkbox:

  <input type="checkbox" name="headC" id="headC" value="Head">

I have a String variable <%=msmtHead%> which is used to determine if this checkbox is checked or not based on this logic: If (<%=msmtHead%> !="") check else don't check.

How do I make this work? I have several such checkboxes which need to be checked similarly.

My research tells me JSTL should be used, but I don't know how to use the <c:if> tag to test for string values.

Answer 1

You need to let JSP print the checked attribute accordingly.

So basically,

<input type="checkbox" name="headC" id="headC" value="Head" <%= ("Head".equals(msmtHead) ? "checked" : "") %>>

Or with EL

<input type="checkbox" name="headC" id="headC" value="Head" ${msmtHead == 'Head' ? 'checked' : ''}>