Chapter 17: Forms, Feedback, Scripting, and Beyond

In This Chapter

Using HTML forms to the best of their ability

Understanding the limitations of forms

Gathering the components for an HTML form

Building a form with HTML form tags

Forming good form habits

Introducing CGI

Cheating at CGI

The Many Uses of HTML Forms
- Forthright feedback
- Applications move to the Web with the help of forms
On the Limitations of Form(s)
- Beware of browser!
- Sorry, servers . . .
What's in a Form?
- Forms involve two-way communication
- Tag! You're a form . . .
Using Form Tags
- Setting the <form> environment
  - A method to our madness
  - Lights, camera . . . action
  - Making an assumption . . .
- Incoming! Taking aim with <input> tags
  - Type-casting still works!
  - Other <input> attributes
  - A text-oriented <input> example
- Being <select>ive
- Adding structure with <fieldset> and <legend> tags
- <textarea> to wax eloquent (or wane profane)
Form Good Habits and Attitudes
Specify CGI and Gate-a-Way with It
- Common Gateway: This way to server side
- CGI scripts/programs: Watch your language
Sample CGI Programs to Whet Your Whistle
- Example 1: What time is it?
- Example 2: Counting page visits
- Example 3: Decoding clickable map coordinates
Installing and Using CGIs
How to Cheat at CGI
I Dream of Forms