MetaDataLocator (Tapestry API - 5.8.6)

All Known Implementing Classes:

MetaDataLocatorImpl
```
@UsesMappedConfiguration(java.lang.String.class)
public interface MetaDataLocator
```
Used to lookup meta data concerning a particular component. The primary source of meta data is the meta data defined for the component, accessed via ComponentModel.getMeta(String). This includes meta data defined by base classes. When meta-data for a particular component can not be found, a search works up the containment hierarchy (to the component's container, and the container's container, and so on). If that proves unfruitful, a system of defaults is provided by configuration and matched against the containing page's logical name. Finally, if no metadata is available, then SymbolSource.valueForSymbol(String) is used to obtain a value. Generally speaking, if you are going to use this service to look up meta data, your should also make a contribution to the FactoryDefaults service; otherwise, you risk a runtime exception if a meta-data key can not be resolved.

Method Summary

All Methods Instance Methods Abstract Methods
Modifier and Type	Method	Description
`<T> T`	`findMeta(java.lang.String key, java.lang.String pageName, java.lang.Class<T> expectedType)`	Searches for the value for the corresponding key for a particular page name (the page will not be loaded).
`<T> T`	`findMeta(java.lang.String key, ComponentResources resources, java.lang.Class<T> expectedType)`	Searches for the value for the corresponding key.

- Method Detail
  - findMeta
```
<T> T findMeta(java.lang.String key,
               ComponentResources resources,
               java.lang.Class<T> expectedType)
```
    Searches for the value for the corresponding key. The value, if located, will have symbols expanded, and will be type coerced to the desired type.
    
    Parameters:
    
    key - the key used to locate the meta data (case insensitive)
    
    resources - the resources of the initial component used in the search
    
    Returns:
    
    the value if found (in the component, the component's container, etc. or via a folder default)
    
    Throws:
    
    java.lang.RuntimeException - if the value for the key is not present as meta data of the component, as an override, or as a symbol
  - findMeta
```
<T> T findMeta(java.lang.String key,
               java.lang.String pageName,
               java.lang.Class<T> expectedType)
```
    Searches for the value for the corresponding key for a particular page name (the page will not be loaded). The value, if located, will have symbols expanded, and will be type coerced to the desired type.
    
    Parameters:
    
    key - the key used to locate the meta data (case insensitive)
    
    pageName - the name of the page to search
    
    Returns:
    
    the value if found
    
    Throws:
    
    java.lang.RuntimeException - if the value for the key is not present as meta data of the page, as an override, or as a symbol