XML-Defined Forms

Consolo’s xml-defined forms contain both data and information about how the data should be edited. Thanks to this, as a developer, you decide what data the editor will be able to edit and what the form will look like.

An xml-form is written in this form:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1" ?>
<DATA>
  <VARNAME1 type="type1" attr1="attr1ValueattrX...>Value1</VARNAME1>
  <VARNAME2 type="type2" attr1="attr1ValueattrX...>Value2</VARNAME2>
  <VARNAMEX type="typeX" attr1="attr1ValueattrX...>ValueX</VARNAMEX>
  ...
</DATA>

 

An unlimited number of variable names can be given. For every variable, you set the corresponding type of data. For every data type, there is one or more pre-defined attributes. The actual data should be attached as content in the respective node.

In the table below, are the data types you can choose from, together with the expected attributes for every data type.

Data Type Attribute Description
checkbox
Check box (integer) that can have the value 0 or 1.
caption
Text on label (string)
 
date
Date (string). A text field where only numbers 0-9 and the character - (dash) are allowed. Max width is 10 characters. The field type will be improved in future versions.
caption
Text on label (string)
 
file
File (string), chosen from another media archive than the Image Archive.
caption
Text on label (string)
archive
Integer 2-6 which decides from what archive the file will be chosen. 2 = document, 3 = flash, 4 = video, 5 = soundfile, 6 = other. < /SPAN >
 
heading
Header, non editable.
 
hidden
Hidden variable which is not displyed in the form. Non editable.
 
html
Html-code to be edited in the WYSIWYG-editor. Note that the code must be placed in a CDATA-node, e.g. <![CDATA[<body><p>text</p></body>]]>
width
Width of the editor window in pixels (integer).
 
image
Image (string), chosen from the Image Archive.
caption
Text on label (string)
 
notes
Large text-box (string), saved in an encrypted format. Corresponds to Consolo’s meta-value notes in html.
caption
Text on label (string)
 
number
Number (integer or float). A text field where only the numbers 0-9 and the characters , . - (comma, period and dash) are allowed.
caption
Text on label (string)
 
readonly
Small text-box (string), non editable.
caption
Text on label (string)
 
select
Multiple choice box (string or integer).
caption
Text on label (string)
options
List with strings displayed in the box, separated by | pipe.
data
List with ID-numbers (integers) separated with | pipe. Listan must correspond to the list in options. If data is not assigned, the string set in options will be used for value. Not a mandatory attribute.
 
text
Small text-box (string)
caption
Text on label (string)
maxlength
The maximum length (integer) of the text set in number of characters.
 
textarea
Large text-box (string).
caption
Text on label (string)
maxlength
The maximum length (integer) of the text set in number of characters.
 
time
Time (string). A text field where only numbers 0-9 and the characted : (colon) are allowed. The maximum length is 8 characters. This field type will be improved in future versions.
caption
Text on label (string)