PM79917: SETATTRIBUTE WILL ADD THE ATTRIBUTE IN THE MAP EVEN IF NULL

8.5.0.2: WebSphere Application Server V8.5 Fix Pack 2

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• Currently setAttribute will add the attribute in the map even
  if a null Object o has been passed
  
  void setAttribute(java.lang.String name,
  java.lang.Object o)
  
  According to the API, the attribute should be removed.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  All users of IBM WebSphere Application      *
  *                  Server versions 8.5 Liberty                 *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: The getAttributeNames() method can      *
  *                      return an attribute name whose value    *
  *                      has been set to null                    *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  If the value passed into ServletRequest.setAttribute() and
  ServleContextt.setAttribute() is null, the effect should be
  the same as calling removeAttribute(). Currently the server
  ends up setting the value to null.
  

Problem conclusion

• The WebContainer code is fixed to remove the attribute if the
  null object is passed to setAttribute().
  
  To get this new behavior a new webcontainer custom property
  needs to set,
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.removeAttributeForNullObject = true
  (false is default)
  or
  removeAttributeForNullObject = true (false is default)
  
  The instructions to set the new property are here,
  Add the above mentioned property using webcontainer element in
  the server.xml file.
  
  
  The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in
  fix pack 8.5.0.2.  Please refer to the
  Recommended Updates page for delivery information:
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&uid=swg27004980
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

  PM71991

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  LIBERTY PROFILE

• Fixed component ID

  5724J0814

Applicable component levels

• R850 PSY

     UP