If you are looking for learning JSF and confused which version to learn then go for JSF 2.0 which has lots of features. Initially confusion may arise as there are still lots of resources teaching JSF 1.2 on the net. So for starting JSF 2.0 with some hands on experience of initial java project setup through IDEs, it’s easy and quick to start. There’s a good startup article plus it’s very specific and to the point by Andy Gibson titled as “How to do 10 common tasks in JSF 2.0” on DZone. Topics covered are
1. Templating.
2. Writing Code for the Page
3. Trigger a method execution on the bean
4. Hiding view elements
5. Decorating content
6. Creating re-usable content
7. Ajaxify a page.
8. Page Parameters
9. Validate page
10. Optional CSS Styling
This doesn’t include the initial configuration for JSF 2.0 project. Just to add on it if you are looking for initial setup for JSF 2.0 project just have an IDE of your choice, preferably Netbeans has a very quick startup on initial project setups. So have latest Netbeans create java web application and have JSF on the selection it will create JSF 2.0 setup and just follow on the link above and follow as per the article on Dzone. Required next is a good design and develop as per the business logic with some understandings on JSF.