in the dvd store example, i notice that some of the view 'code' checks for null component values (e.g., <f:subview rendered="#{currentUser == null}">). however, it looks like the SeamVariableResolver automatically creates a component when resolving a name: public Object resolveVariable(FacesContext facesContext, String name) throws EvaluationException { name = name.replace('$', '.'); log.debug("resolving name: " + name); Object component = Component.getInstance(name, true); so how can the component value ever be null? View the original post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&p=3962268#... Reply to the post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=posting&mode=reply&a...