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PARTS OF A FORM
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| <INPUT> Tags |
The <INPUT> tag defines a basic
form element. This tag takes at least two attributes, namely TYPE and NAME. |
| TYPE |
TYPE indicates what kind of
element should appear on the form. An example would be: <INPUT TYPE="TEXT">. |
| NAME |
You use NAME to identify a field
in the form, information that is ultimately uploaded to the input-handling Web
server. In fact, what the server receives is a series of name/value pairs. |
| VALUE |
VALUE being the actual contents of
a field. In a hidden field you type the VALUE directly, otherwise the VALUE
comes from the text box if it is a TEXT field. |
| INPUT TYPES |
produces an on-screen check box
for users to make multiple selections. |
| <INPUT TYPE="CHECKBOX"> |
produces no visible input area;
use this to pass data needed for other uses through the form. |
| <INPUT TYPE="HIDDEN"> |
produces no visible input area;
use this to pass data needed for other uses through the form. |
| <INPUT TYPE="IMAGE"> |
lets you designate a graphic as a
selectable item in a form. You can use this to include icons or other graphical
symbols. |
| <INPUT
TYPE="RADIO"> |
creates a radio button for a range
of selections, from which the user may select only one. |
| <INPUT TYPE="RESET"> |
creates a button labeled "reset"
in your form. Include this so that users can clear a form's contents and start
over. Be sure to place it well away from other controls, you don't want them to
clear the form by accident! |
| <INPUT TYPE="SUBMIT"> |
creates a button labeled "submit."
The TYPE="SUBMIT" tells the browser to bundle the form data and pass it all to
the CGI script indicated by the ACTION attribute. In plain English (remember
that??), SUBMIT is the button readers use to send in the filled out form. |
| <INPUT TYPE="TEXT"> |
provides a one line area for text
entry. Use this for short fields only. For longer text fields, use the <TEXTAREA>...</TEXTAREA>
tags instead. |
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| Other <INPUT> Attributes |
Most remaining attributes exist to modify the <INPUT> tag. |
| VALUE=" " |
supplies a default value for a
TEXT or HIDDEN element or supplies the corresponding value for a radio button or
check box selection. |
| VALUE="Submit to Admin" |
You can use this to determine the
label of a submit or reset button, like VALUE="Submit to Admin" for a submit
button |
| VALUE="Clear Form" |
or VALUE="Clear Form" for a reset
button. |
| CHECKED: |
Makes sure that a certain radio
button or check box is checked when the form is visited for the first time or
reset. |
| SIZE="number": |
Sets the number of characters that
a TEXT element can display without scrolling. |
| MAXLENGTH="number": |
Sets the maximum number of
characters that a value in a TEXT element can contain. |
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