HTML & XHTML: The Complete Reference (Osborne Complete Reference Series)

Up to this point, the discussion has focused on the Web as a static publishing environment. But Web sites also can be thought of as software because users can perform tasks and interact with content in ways that are beyond the capabilities of print. While links provide basic ability for users to make choices, fill-out forms enable users to submit information that can be used to create an interactive environment ranging from an order entry system to a dynamically created Web site. Today, forms are commonplace on the Web and mastery over their syntax is required to build a modern site.

How Are Forms Used?

There are many types of fill-in forms on the Web. The most common ones include comment response forms, order entry forms, subscription forms, registration forms, and so on. For example:

• A comment response form generally is used to collect comments from Web site viewers and elicit suggestions for improvement.

• Order entry forms provide a way for viewers to order goods from online stores. Order entry forms typically require the user to provide an address, credit card number, and other information necessary to facilitate online commerce.

• Registration forms are used to collect information about a user and often are tied to an authentication system, which limits access to the site.

• Forms often are used to access database-hosted information ”for example, looking up information in a catalog or performing a search.

There are many other examples of how forms are used on the Web. The point here is to illustrate the kind of interactivity provided by forms.