Use Logical Attribute Handlers For Field Options

You can use a logical attribute to populate a list of field options. Logical attribute values (in this case, the options) are not directly associated with or written to the user store. The logical attribute values are presented in a profile screen field. When a user selects an option and submits a task, the selected value is processed by a logical attribute handler, which stores the value in the physical attribute associated with the logical attribute.
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You can use a logical attribute to populate a list of field options. Logical attribute values (in this case, the options) are not directly associated with or written to the user store. The logical attribute values are presented in a profile screen field. When a user selects an option and submits a task, the selected value is processed by a logical attribute handler, which stores the value in the physical attribute associated with the logical attribute.
Note
:
Identity Manager
includes a sample logical attribute handler, called StateSelector, that you can use as a base for creating a logical attribute handler that populates field options. The StateSelector sample folder is installed under samples\LogicalAttributes in the Administrative Tools.
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The Administrative Tools are placed in the following default locations:
  • Windows:
    [set the Installation Path variable]\tools
  • UNIX:
    [set the alternate Installation Path variable]/tools
For information on using the sample, see the readme.txt file in the StateSelector directory.
To use a simple list to populate field options
  1. Create a logical attribute handler.
    You use the Logical Attribute API to write a logical attribute handler. For more information, see the
    Programming Guide for Java
    .
  2. In the
    Identity Manager
    User Console, modify a profile screen.
  3. Add a new field.
  4. Select the logical attribute that is associated with logical attribute handler that you created.
    Logical attributes are indicated by a preceding and trailing pipe (|) character.
  5. Select one of the following styles:
    • Check Box Multi-Select
    • Dropdown
    • Dropdown Combo
    • Multi-Select
    • Option Selector
    • Option Selector Combo
    • Radio Button Single-Select
    • Single-Select
    The fields in the Field Properties dialog change based on the style selection you make.
  6. Select None in the Source of Selection Options field.
    An additional field, Selection Options, appears.
  7. Specify one of the following values in the Preserve Non-Options field:
    • Yes -- Existing values that do not match one of the valid options are preserved.
    • No -- Users must select a value from the pre-defined option list. Existing values that do not match an existing value are not preserved.
  8. Specify values for the remaining required fields.
    For information on required fields, see the User Console online help.
  9. Click Apply, then click OK.
Identity Manager
saves the current field properties.