XForms 1.0 (Second Edition)
W3C Recommendation 17 June 2005
- This version:
-
http://www.w3.org/TR/2005/REC-xforms-20050617/
- Latest version:
-
http://www.w3.org/TR/xforms/
- Previous version:
-
http://www.w3.org/TR/2003/REC-xforms-20031014/
- Editors:
- John Boyer, PureEdge Solutions Inc.
- David Landwehr, Novell
- Roland Merrick, IBM
- T. V. Raman, IBM
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Copyright © 2005 W3C® (MIT, ERCIM, Keio), All Rights Reserved. W3C liability, trademark and document use rules apply.
Abstract
XForms is an XML application that represents the next generation of forms for the Web. By splitting traditional XHTML forms into three parts—XForms model, instance data, and user interface—it separates presentation from content, allows reuse, gives strong typing—reducing the number of round-trips to the server, as well as offering device independence and a reduced need for scripting.
XForms is not a free-standing document type, but is intended to be integrated into other markup languages, such as XHTML or SVG.
1 Differences between XForms 1.0 and 1.1
This list reflects the differences between the Rec version of XForms 1.0 and the last call version of XForms 1.1, and only feature a high-level view of the differences.
Many of the changes only effect minor details about the processing model (such as clarifications).
Most of the changes are additions and simplifications, though control of submission has greatly improved.
1.1 Model and instance
New version attribute: <model version="1.1">...
New resource attribute: <instance resource="...">
1.2 New Datatypes
- xforms:email
For e-mail adresses
- xforms:ID-card-number
For credit cards and other ID cards
- Also-Empty datatypes
<bind nodeset="q" required="true()" type="xsd:integer"/>
is now
<bind nodeset="q" required="true()" type="xforms:integer"/>
1.3 Submission
The first submission element is now the default, so if you only have one submission a submit control doesn't need to specify it.
1.3.1 Submission: attributes
To control submission more, the <submission> element now has a number of new attributes and child elements.
Attributes:
resource: same as action (see element)
mode (asynch, synch): asyncronous or synchronous submission. Asynchronous is default.
method="delete": supports http DELETE method.
verb: overrides the method attribute
serialize: whether data is to be sent with the submission
validate: whether to validate the data (for instance for save to file)
relevant: whether to prune non-relevant data
replace="text": accept text results, and replacing parts of instance
replace="text": accept text results, and replacing parts of instance
target: used with replace="text
1.3.2 Submission: elements
- resource
Allows you to get submission URI from an instance. Overrides the action attribute.
- verb
Likewise allows you to specify the method in an instance.
- header
Allows you to add headers to the submission
1.3.3 Submission for Soap
Better support for soap submission
1.4 Events
New events:
xforms-submit-serialize
xforms-version-exception
xforms-output-error
1.5 New Functions
1.5.1 Encoding and decoding functions
1.7 Actions
1.7.1 Actions: insert and delete
insert action improved
delete action improved
1.7.2 Conditional and repeated actions
<delete if="XPath Expression" .../>
<delete while="XPath Expression" .../>
On all actions
1.7.3 New attribute on dispatch action
<dispatch delay="1000" ... /> allows polling.
1.7.4 Additions to actions
dispatch+name child element
dispatch+target child element
dispatch+delay child element
setfocus+control child element
load+resource child