Forms are simply a way to enable users to interact with (pass
information to) a Web server. There are many reasons you might choose
to use forms.
The simplest of forms are often created to solicit feedback from
users. Feedback is a necessary and priceless resource for any Web
page and should be used to drive current and future directions of
that page-or possibly the entire Web site.
More complicated forms enable users to check their bank account
balances, purchase airline tickets, and check their email. Form
controls, combined with scripts, enable users to communicate with
your server and exchange information. This process drives e-commerce.
Think about the last time you purchased something over the Web-for
example, an airline ticket. First, you must identify the flight you
want to take. To do so, you fill out a form that helps you narrow
your search. See Figure 8.1 for an example from Southwest Airlines
(www.southwest.com).
Figure 8.1 The reservations section of Southwest
Airlines, where you enter _information that narrows down the
available flights for your specified preferences1.
(NOTE: This image is only available in the book, not in
this article)
On the page displayed in Figure 8.1, you enter your departure
city, arrival city, and desired departure and return dates. That
information is sent to a Web server application that evaluates the
data and sends you the schedule possibilities. See Figure 8.2 for the
results we received when we requested information for flights between
Austin, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana for July 11, 2000.
1Note © 2000 Southwest Airlines Co. All content
property of Southwest Airlines.
Figure 8.2 The Web server application sends the user
all flight possibilities2.
(NOTE: This image is only available in the book, not in
this article)
After that, you're presented with the option of purchasing a
ticket. Again, you have to fill out a form. After you complete the
form, that data is sent to a server and an appropriate response
(hopefully, a purchase confirmation) is sent back to you, the
user.
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