Description of the xForms
What is XForms ?
XForms is a configurable (with respect to the fields in the form) set of forms, that output its contents in a simple xml format. It consists of one MainForm and an arbitrary number of subForms. The subForms may contain any number of data records.
XForms is written in Java, and can be run as applet or application.
xForm structure at MPI
All files are available from the author.
file "Cera2Input.html"
contains applet "xFormApplet"
reads general setup in "XML_Cera_Core.prp"
starts main form named "XML_Cera_Core"
reads setup from "XML_Cera_Core.set"
starts subforms "XX"
reads setup from "XX.set"
The applet is able to run standalone. This might be the better solution for in-house application.
Setup of the xForm group
The setup of the xForms is guided by
- a table of keyword defined properties (.prp),
- tables (one per xForm) for the settings (.set) of each form's items (=fields),
- one optional xml file for the default settings to start up with.
The table of general properties (.prp)
The general properties of the form or form group are to be given in a general properties file (.prp). The file name can be handed to the applet version by an html parameter:
<APPLET code="XFormApplet.class"
align="Middle"
alt="..."
archive="xform.jar">
<PARAM name="startProFile"
value="http://domain.de/Start.prp">
</APPLET>
When xForms is running standalone as an application, it will search for a local xform.prp file, if the file is not given as parameter in the programme call.
For a description of the general xform properties setup file (.prp) see here.
The setup tables of the form items (.set)
There is one setup table (.set) for each form item.
The name of the setup table of the start form is given in the properties file as "mainProFile = ...". It may start with http[s]:// for web accessible files.
The names of all other forms' setup tables are given in the setup tables of their parent forms as "SUBFORMn =...", where n is 1,2,3... .
For a description of the setup table files (.set) of the forms see here.
The default xml file
The defaulting xml file is of the same structure as the xForms. Tag names correspond to the information in the setup files: either to the attributes given as "attr =" for each form item OR to the form names given as "FORMNAME =" for each form.
On load, the tags' contents will be filled into the form items.
The default xml data file name (.xml) can be loaded interactively by the user (menu "data - load"). It the applet version startup defaults can be handed to the applet by an html parameter:
<APPLET ...
<PARAM ...
<PARAM name="defaultXML"
value="MyDefaultFile.xml">
</APPLET>
For CERA-2 xml output of single entries, ready for ingestion into xForms see here.
Description of the general xForm Properties (.prp)
Description of the formItem Setup (.set)
In case of problems, do not hesitate to contact:
Frank Toussaint
phone: +49-40-41173-175
e-mail: Frank.Toussaint(at)zmaw.de