Setting default values for view row attributes

In this recipe, we will see how to set default values for view object attributes. There are a number of places where you can do this, namely:

• In the overridden create() method of the view object row implementation class

• Declaratively using a Groovy expression

• In the attribute getter method

For example, for a newly created employee, we will set the employee's hire date to the current date.

Getting ready

This recipe was developed using the HRComponents workspace, which was created in the Overriding remove() to delete associated children entities recipe in Chapter 2, Dealing with Basics: Entity Objects. The HRComponents workspace requires a database connection to the HR schema.

How to do it...

1. 1. Create a view row Java implementation class for the Employees view object.

2. 2. Open the EmployeesRowImpl.java custom view row Java implementation class and override the create() method using the Override Methods… button (the green left arrow on the editor toolbar...