Part 4

NEWS & TIPS

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Create Advanced Data Definitions

Often times when capturing information from forms, it is necessary to validate data against a specific type of desired input (e.g. email address) and to provide input fields for items like drop downs, radio buttons, checkboxes, and list boxes. The data definition technology provides a mechanism for each of these items. We want to create an advanced form with these different items.

A. Create an Advanced Data Definition

To create an advanced data definition:

  1. Go to the Administration area, and select Data Definitions in the left navigation bar.
  2. Click on New Data Definition.
  3. For the Name field, type in registration.
  4. For the XML field, type in:
    <system-data-structure>
        <text type="checkbox" identifier="preference" label="Preference">
          <checkbox-item value="Car" />
          <checkbox-item value="Truck" checked="true" />
          <checkbox-item value="SUV" />
       </text>
       <text type="dropdown" identifier="Color" label="Color" default="Blue">
          <dropdown-item value="Blue" />
          <dropdown-item value="Red" />
          <dropdown-item value="Black" />
       </text>
       <text type="radiobutton" identifier="gender" label="Gender" default="Female">
          <radio-item value="Male" />
          <radio-item value="Female" />
       </text>
       <text identifier="email" multiple="false" label="Email" required="true" default="name@company.com" regular-expression="/^([a-zA-Z0-9_\.\-])+\@(([a-zA-Z0-9\-])+\.)+([a-zA-Z0-9]{2,4})+$/" input-data-format="name@company.com" />
    </system-data-structure>
  5. Click Submit to save the new data definition.
  6. Your new Data Definition is ready to be attached to a page.

Data definitions are a powerful technology that allow for capturing structured information from users. Common examples of data definitions include:


  • Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
  • Calendar of events
  • Job posting
  • Survey creator
  • Form creator
  • Press release
  • Real estate listing
  • Faculty profile
  • Blog entry
  • Menu creator
  • Slide show 

 

These common data definitions are included with the software.

Thanks for going through Part 4 of the Technical Introduction. Part 5 is available online:

  • Learn how to use re-use content with data definitions and index blocks, incorporate scripting languages, use metadata sets, and see built-in example modules

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Last modified on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 10:28:17 -0400

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