* true to display the mask when input is empty
* @param freeSymbol
* replacement char when there is no input yet
*/
public void applyMask(final String pattern, final boolean showMask, final String freeSymbol) {
final Update update = new Update(getID());
update.put(PROPERTY.MASK, pattern);
update.put(PROPERTY.VISIBILITY, showMask);
update.put(PROPERTY.REPLACEMENT_STRING, freeSymbol);
Txn.get().getTxnContext().save(update);
}