Decode Java Char / String

Question

I've a form with Primefaces. The header of the xml file looks like that:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>

When I send the form, I take the values with HttpServletRequest:

public String handleRequest(HttpServletRequest request) { 
 String shortname = request.getParameter("shortname");
 (...)

Now when shortname contains a umlaute, for example an ü, the umlaute will be saved as UTF-8 encoded. So my ü get saved as Ã1⁄4.

How can I decode it again? All the tutorials use a byte-array, but I haven't one.

I need this variable in a EMail, and it doesn't look really good with some hieroglyphics.

• Seth Davenport: What happens if you override the request's encoding before calling getParameter? e.g. call request.setCharacterEncoding("UTF-8");?
• Michael Schmidt: Haha what. How simple is that?! Perfect! You can it post a a answer and i'll accept it.
• Seth Davenport: Re-posted as an answer. Glad it helped.

Answer 1

You need to tell the HttpServletRequest instance that it's in UTF-8:

public String handleRequest(HttpServletRequest request) { 
 try {
 request.setCharacterEncoding("UTF-8");
 String shortname = request.getParameter("shortname");
 (...)
 }
 catch (UnsupportedEncodingException e) {
 // ...
 }
}

• Michael Schmidt: Thanks again! BTW, setCharacterEncoding should be surrounded by try/catch :)
• Seth Davenport: Yeah you're right. Serves me right for not actually compiling first :)