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It contains one or more fields and an action button, such as Save or Submit.","image":"https://techterms.com/img/md/form_1481.png","url":"https://techterms.com/definition/form"} </script> </head> <body> <div id="full"> <header id="siteheader"> <div class="content"> <a href="#main" class="visuallyhidden">Skip to main content</a> <a href="/" class="logo"><img src="/svg/logo.svg" width="212" height="24" alt="TechTerms.com"></a> <div class="siteheader-middle"> <div class="searchwrapper collapsed"> <form id="search" class="search" action="/search" method="post"> <div class='autocomplete' role='combobox' aria-expanded='false' aria-owns='autocomplete-results'> <input type="text" id="term" name="term" placeholder="Search (e.g. form, router, dongle)" aria-label="Search (e.g. psd, docx, exe, jpg, zip)" autocomplete="off" class='autocomplete-input term' aria-autocomplete='both' aria-controls='autocomplete-results'> <button id="searchsubmit" class="searchsubmit"></button> </div> <ul id='autocomplete-results' class='autocomplete-results hidden' aria-label='Search'> </ul> </form> </div> <a href="/random" class="headerbutton random" id="random"><img src="/svg/random.svg" alt="random" width="16" height="16"></a> <button id="searchtoggle"><img src="/svg/search-white.svg" alt="search" width="18" height="18"></button> </div> <div class="siteheader-right"> <button id="menuopen"><img src="/svg/menu.svg" alt="open menu" width="18" height="16"></button> <nav id="sitemenu" class="collapsed"> <button id="menuclose"><img src="/svg/close.svg" alt="close menu" width="14" height="14"></button> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/">Terms</a></li> <li><a href="/quiz/">Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/help/">Help Center</a></li> <li class="mobile"><a href="/random">Random Term</a></li> <li class="settings"><button id="settings"><img src="/svg/settings.svg" alt="settings" width="22" height="22"></button> <div class="settingsmenu"> <fieldset> <legend>Theme</legend> <input id="theme-default" value="default" type="radio" name="theme" checked> <label for="theme-default">Light</label> <input id="theme-dark" value="dark" type="radio" name="theme" > <label for="theme-dark">Dark</label> <input id="theme-hc" value="hc" type="radio" name="theme" > <label for="theme-hc">High Contrast</label> </fieldset> <div class="fontsizewrapper"><label for="fontsize">Font Size<input type="range" id="fontsize" name="fontsize" min="14" max="26" step="2" value="20"></label><span class="currentsize">20</span></div> <button id="resetsettings">Reset</button> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <main> <div class="adTopLB"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589388248615-0'> </div> </div> <div id="main" class="def"> <div id="left"> <div class="card hasheader"> <div class="cardheader"> <div class="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Home</a><svg viewBox="0 0 9 14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"/></svg><a href="/category/software">Software Terms</a><svg viewBox="0 0 9 14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"/></svg>Form Definition</div> </div> <article> <h1>Form</h1> <div class="adDefRect"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589302365809-0'> </div> </div> <p>A form is a <a href="/definition/user_interface">user interface</a> element within a <a href="/definition/website">website</a> or software <a href="/definition/application">application</a> that allows you to enter and submit data. It contains one or more <a href="/definition/field">fields</a> and an action button, such as Save or Submit.</p> <h3>Web Forms</h3> <p>Web forms allow you to submit information to a website via a <a href="/definition/web_browser">web browser</a>. Examples include registration forms, online surveys, and contact forms. When you click <span class="button">Submit</span>, the <a href="/definition/web_server">web server</a> hosting the <a href="/definition/website">website</a> processes the data you entered in the form. For example, a feedback form may send an email to the <a href="/definition/webmaster">webmaster</a>. A registration form may create a new account in a <a href="/definition/database">database</a>.</p> <p>A web form is a standard <a href="/definition/html">HTML</a> element, created using the <span class="command"><form></span> <a href="/definition/tag">tag</a>. Elements within a form may include:</p> <ul> <li><span class="command"><input type="text"></span> – a one-line text input field for name, email address, etc.</li> <li><span class="command"><textarea></span> – a large text field that supports multiple lines of text; often used for messages</li> <li><span class="command"><select></span> – a drop-down menu with multiple options, defined by <span class="command"><option></span> tags</li> <li><span class="command"><input type="hidden"></span> – a hidden field used to submit additional data, such as a <a href="/definition/timestamp">timestamp</a> or referring page <a href="/definition/url">URL</a></li> <li><span class="command"><input type="submit"></span> – a button used for submitting the data entered in the form.</li> </ul> <p><b>NOTE:</b> Form data is often processed by a server-side <a href="/definition/script">script</a>, but form validation (such as verifying required fields) is usually performed by client-side <a href="/definition/javascript">JavaScript</a> or HTML checks.</p> <h3>Application Forms</h3> <p>While forms are commonly associated with websites, many <a href="/definition/software">software</a> programs also include forms. For instance, database applications allow you to create custom forms to enter data more quickly. Media converters provide forms that enable you to choose audio and video compression settings. All <a href="/definition/dialog_box">dialog boxes</a>, such as <b>Print</b> and <b>Save As</b> windows, are considered forms because they include selectable options and a primary action button.</p> <div class="adBotLB"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589236206757-0'> </div> </div> <div class="cardfooter"> <div class="upDate"><div class="author">Updated <span class="pdate">October 20, 2021</span> by <a href="/authors/per_christensson">Per C.</a></div></div><div id="citations"> <div class="tabs"> <div role="tablist" aria-label="citations"> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="apa" tabindex="-1">APA</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="mla" tabindex="-1">MLA</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="chicago" tabindex="-1">Chicago</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="html" tabindex="-1">HTML</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="link" tabindex="-1">Link</button> </div> <div class="citationwrap"> <div id="apa" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="mla" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="chicago" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="html" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="link" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> <div>https://techterms.com/definition/form</div> </div> <button id="citecopy"><span class="visuallyhidden">Copy</span><svg enable-background="new 0 0 488.3 488.3" viewBox="-7.5 -7.5 495.8 503.3" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m314.25 85.4h-227c-21.3 0-38.6 17.3-38.6 38.6v325.7c0 21.3 17.3 38.6 38.6 38.6h227c21.3 0 38.6-17.3 38.6-38.6v-325.7c-.1-21.3-17.4-38.6-38.6-38.6zm11.5 364.2c0 6.4-5.2 11.6-11.6 11.6h-227c-6.4 0-11.6-5.2-11.6-11.6v-325.6c0-6.4 5.2-11.6 11.6-11.6h227c6.4 0 11.6 5.2 11.6 11.6z" stroke-width="15"/><path d="m401.05 0h-227c-21.3 0-38.6 17.3-38.6 38.6 0 7.5 6 13.5 13.5 13.5s13.5-6 13.5-13.5c0-6.4 5.2-11.6 11.6-11.6h227c6.4 0 11.6 5.2 11.6 11.6v325.7c0 6.4-5.2 11.6-11.6 11.6-7.5 0-13.5 6-13.5 13.5s6 13.5 13.5 13.5c21.3 0 38.6-17.3 38.6-38.6v-325.7c0-21.3-17.3-38.6-38.6-38.6z" stroke-width="15"/></svg></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div id="defquiz" class="card"> <h2 class="heading logoheading"><img src="/img/main/quiz.png" alt="quiz" style="width:45px">Test Your Knowledge</h2> <div class="quizBox"> <div class="quizBody"> <p class="quizQuestion">Which of the following is a mobile operating system?</p> <div class="quizTable"> <div id="ansButtonA" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Anum" data-date="2020-08-25"><span class="ansLetter">A</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerA" class="quizAnswer">Windows</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarA" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercA" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonB" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Bnum" data-date="2020-08-25"><span class="ansLetter">B</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerB" class="quizAnswer">macOS</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarB" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercB" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonC" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Cnum" data-date="2020-08-25"><span class="ansLetter">C</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerC" class="quizAnswer">iOS</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarC" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercC" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonD" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Dnum" data-date="2020-08-25"><span class="ansLetter">D</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerD" class="quizAnswer">CentOS</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarD" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercD" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="quizResult"><div class="qmsg"> <b class="quizPass">Correct!</b> <b class="quizFail">Incorrect!</b>   <span class="customMessage"></span>  View the <a href="/definition/operating_system">Operating System definition</a>.</div> <a href="/quiz/#morequizzes" class="quizNext btnprimary">More Quizzes →</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="right"> <div class="prevnext"> <a href="fork"><span class="arrow">‹</span>  <span class="linktext">Fork</span></a><span> | </span><a href="format"><span class="linktext">Format</span>  <span class="arrow">›</span></a></div> <div class="tf card"> <h2 class="heading">Tech Factor</h2> <a href="/help/tech_factor" class="info" title="What is the Tech Factor?">?</a> <a href="/techfactor/3"><span class="factor">3</span><span class="denom"> / 10</span></a></div> <div class="listBox card related"> <h2 class="heading">Related Terms</h2> <div class="rlists"> <ol> <li><a href="/definition/field">Field</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/website">Website</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/application">Application</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/user_interface">User Interface</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/html">HTML</a></li> </ol> <ol start="6"><li><a href="/definition/javascript">JavaScript</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/server">Server</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/client">Client</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/script">Script</a></li> </ol> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <h2 class="heading">Form Images</h2> <div class="baguetteBox gallery"> <figure> <a href="https://techterms.com/img/xl/form_1481.png"><img src="https://techterms.com/img/sm/form_1481.png" alt="Contact form on FileInfo.com" width="225" height="259" srcset="https://techterms.com/img/md/form_1481.png 450w, https://techterms.com/img/sm/form_1481.png 225w" sizes="(max-width: 748px) 225px, (max-width: 970px) 162px, 225px"></a> <figcaption class="caption">Contact form on FileInfo.com</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="adRightSky"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589233879778-0'> </div> </div> </div> <div class="techterms card"> <h2 class="heading">The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary</h2> <p>The definition of Form on this page is an original definition written by the <a href="/authors/">TechTerms.com team</a>. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, please use the green citation bar directly below the definition.</p> <p>Our goal to explain computer terminology in a way that is easy to understand. We strive for accuracy and simplicity with every definition we publish. If you have feedback about this definition or would like to suggest a new technical term, please <a href="/contact">contact us</a>.</p> <h2 class="heading">TechTerms Newsletter</h2> <p>Improve your technical knowledge with our daily or weekly newsletter! Subscribe today and get new terms and quizzes delivered to your inbox.</p> <button id="ttn_open" class="btnprimary">Subscribe</button> </div> </div> <div class="popupwrapper"> <div id="newsletter_popup"> <button class="close">×</button> <div id="ttnform"> <h3 class="heading">Sign up for the free TechTerms Newsletter</h3> <form id="subscribe"> <div class="field"><label for="newsletter_email">Email (required):</label> <input type="email" id="newsletter_email" name="newsletter_email" required aria-label="email address"> </div> <div class="row1"> <div class="field"><label for="first_name">First Name:</label> <input type="text" name="first_name" id="first_name"></div> <div class="field"><label for="first_name">Last Name:</label> <input type="text" name="last_name" id="last_name"></div> </div> <fieldset class="row2"> <legend>How often would you like to receive an email?</legend> <input type="radio" name="frequency" id="daily" value="d" checked><label for="daily">Daily</label> <input type="radio" name="frequency" id="weekly" value="w"><label for="weekly">Weekly (Every Tuesday)</label> <input type="text" id="newsletter_message" name="message" class="cfieldhid" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="If you are a human, please do not fill in this field." tabindex="-1"> </fieldset> <input type="submit" class="btnprimary" value="Subscribe"> <div id="ttnerror"> </div> <p>You can unsubscribe or change your frequency setting at any time using the links available in each email.<br><br>Questions? 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