Unable to specify implementation of List or Map in XML [SPR-16]

[spring-projects]

Unable to specify implementation of List or Map in XML [SPR-16]

[spring-projects-issues]

Juergen Hoeller commented

We've decided to not add collection class support to the XML bean definition format for the time being (we've added a <set> tag for RC1, BTW). Instead, we offer reworked List/Set/MapFactoryBeans now (in org.springframework.beans.factory.config) that allow to specify the target collection class. Such collections can be referenced from List/Set/Map bean properties, instead of direct <list>/<set>/<map> tags.

[spring-projects-issues]

Christopher Sahnwaldt commented

Now that you've added the util stuff, why not reconsider this decision?

It seems so very intuitive to do this:

<map map-class="java.util.Hashtable">
<entry ... />
</map>

Instead, I have to do this:

<bean class="org.springframework.beans.factory.config.MapFactoryBean">
<property name="targetMapClass" value="java.util.Hashtable"/>
<property name="sourceMap">
<map>
<entry ... />
</map>
</property>
</bean>