HTML Level 1 and 2 Manual

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Forms

HTML 2.0 Level 2 input pages

Level 1 and Level 2

• HTML Level 1 is the basic document feature set. HTML Level 2 adds forms. A site can use forms when it is using Level 2.
• A form only collects data in the browser. A CGI script or other server program must receive and process it.

Core controls

• FORM gives ACTION and METHOD.
• INPUT gives text boxes, password boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, hidden values and submit/reset buttons.
• SELECT and OPTION give a menu of choices.
• TEXTAREA gives a multi-line message box.

GET or POST

• Use GET for simple searches where the submitted values can appear in the URL.
• Use POST for guestbooks, contact forms, longer comments and anything that changes server-side data.
• Neither method is secure by itself. Use server checks and, on later webs, HTTPS.

Example guestbook form

• <FORM ACTION="submit.html" METHOD="POST">
  <P>Name: <INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="name" SIZE="30">
  <P>Message:<BR>
  <TEXTAREA NAME="message" ROWS="6" COLS="50"></TEXTAREA>
  <P><INPUT TYPE="submit" VALUE="Send"> <INPUT TYPE="reset" VALUE="Clear">
  </FORM>

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