Forms

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Forms

This page researched and written by Chad Coleman

One of the best ways to get feedback on your website is by using forms. There are many types of web forms available. Some are used to enter information into a database, some are used to customize the user's preferences when browing your site. Probably the most widely used forms aer known as "mail forms." When the user submits a form, the information will be emailed to the address you specify.

Most forms require some type of server-based application. CGI are commonly used (especially on UNIX servers) along with perl scripts and Microsoft ASPs. This can create a problem for web developers. If you do not have your own server (or your ISP dosen't allow you access the a CGI-BIN) most forms cannot be processed. Remember, even though the fields are coded in HTML and appear on your web page, a browser needs to know how to process that information.

The resources below include scripts and applications you can install on your server and sites which allow you to access their server to process your forms.

Bravenet The forms provided by Bravenet do NOT require you to install any applications on a server to process the forms. When you register for their services (don't worry, it's free!) you are granted permission to have your site's forms processed on their server.

After answering a few simple questions the HTML code is generated and sent to you. The forms are customizable and allow for you to specify a 'success' page on your site.

Click for sample form
AnyForm Another form processor that does NOT require you to install anything. The CGI you access is very flexibe allowing for complex forms and input types.

IMPORTANT: be sure to replace the Form action with
<form action="http://www.uky.edu/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/~johnr/AnyForm.cgi" method="POST">
Do not accept the default address, it will only work for forms on that server.

Click for sample form

A good starting point for learning more about creating forms can be found at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NSCA).

Bravenet	The forms provided by Bravenet do NOT require you to install any applications on a server to process the forms. When you register for their services (don't worry, it's free!) you are granted permission to have your site's forms processed on their server. After answering a few simple questions the HTML code is generated and sent to you. The forms are customizable and allow for you to specify a 'success' page on your site. Click for sample form
AnyForm	Another form processor that does NOT require you to install anything. The CGI you access is very flexibe allowing for complex forms and input types. IMPORTANT: be sure to replace the Form action with <form action="http://www.uky.edu/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/~johnr/AnyForm.cgi" method="POST"> Do not accept the default address, it will only work for forms on that server. Click for sample form