LCS - Form Component overview
Web Form Fundamentals
Gathering data from your users using a web form requires three fundamental parts - the form, processing of that data that the user has entered, and a storage schema. There are additional components that can enhance the user experience, such as dynamic display or conditional feedback due to data validation.
The low-code solutions platform is designed to minimize the amount of technical jargon you need to memorize in order to be proficient at creating data gathering forms that perform these three fundamental steps. Instead of typing code in manually to create functional forms, you drag components onto a canvas and configure the options each different form component has.
Form Component Types
See also LCS - Form Component Types
There are four fundamental Form Components in the low code solution ecosystem.
- The Create form component is used to build a web form to gather original data from your users the first time they interact with your system.
- The Update form component is used to build a web form that allows your users to update their previously created data.
- The Login form component is used to authenticate your non-NetID users and create an authentication token that is stored in the browser so users can be uniquely identified.
- The Default form component is used as a template to contain other form component input types without being tied to a create or update action. You will need to build the data processing action steps manually instead of using the default create or update action steps if you use the Default form component
Form Component Input Types
See also LCS - Form Component Input Types Part 1 or LCS - Form Component Input Types Part 2
Once you have your framework in place for gathering data from your users in the Create, Update, Login or Default form, you can drag individual Form Component Input Types onto the form and configure them to create a positive user experience with proper data validation. There are currently 23 unique input types available in the low code solution platform. These include common web form elements like text boxes and radio buttons, along with more complex form elements like date pickers and currency inputs.
Interactions
Interactions are the dynamic components of the user experience that occur in the browser while the user is working with the web form. These include form validation, user feedback, refreshing data displays following a successful save operation and other similar functions. The judicious use of these elements enhances the user experience without creating unnecessary distractions.