Why do I get cannot find symbol error message while trying to access a component?

Prior to NetBeans 6.1, whenever a component was placed on a page, a binding attribute was automatically created. For example, when a textfield component was placed on a page, a binding attribute called textfield1 by default, was created and associated with the component; the variable textfield1 can then be used to manipulate the component. However it was found that (1) many controls did not use it and (2) it caused bloat and slowed programs down.

With NetBeans 6.1, this has been replaced by on-demand management of the binding attribute.

If binding attributes are not manually added, components will be rendered on the Design page but with no corresponding field, getter and setter in the backing page bean. Thus, for example, when the code tries to access the default textfield1 for the textfield component, the error cannot find symbol symbol: variable textfield1 will be thrown.

To add the binding attribute, right-click on the textField component then select Add Binding Attribute.

For more info, refer to this On-demand binding attribute article and this related thread on the VisualWeb users mailing list

Applies to: NetBeans 6.1