MSM-Workstation
The Macbeth Example -- Using MSM-PDQweb

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Components of a "Form"

A form, delineated by a start marker (<form>) and an end marker (</form>) can contain any text that can normally appear on a web-page.

In addition, the special command <input ...> can be used to specify a number of fields through which data can be displayed in the form, or returned to the software that drives the web-based application.
Drop down lists are defined using the special commands <select ...> and <option ...>.

The following input commands are relevant in the context of this demonstration:

<select name="variablename">
<option value="internalvalue">externalvalue</option>
</select>

Hidden variables

Hidden variables (<input type=hidden...>) are variables that are not shown to the end-user, but that are passed back and forth between the "browser" and the web-page-generating software. In the example of the simple form, the special variable EP is passed as a hidden variable. In the context of MSM-PDQweb, this variable contains the "alias" for the entry-point in the M[UMPS] software that is to be called to process the information returned from the form.

Text

Text input variables (<input type=text...>) offer the capability to display a variable value. The end-user is allowed to change the displayed value, and the software will be able to do any processing that would be needed after a change is made.

Submit

Submit buttons (<input type=submit...>) trigger the interaction between the "Form" and the application software. When a button is "pressed" by clicking on it with the mouse, the information contained in the various input fields of the form is transmitted to the application program.

Drop Down List

Drop Down lists (<select ...>) offer the capability to allow a user to pick a value from a list of possible options.