Chapter 4Basics: HTML5 Forms

HTML5 forms are a leap forward from those in previous versions of HTML. We now have a half dozen new input states or types, such as range and url; we have new attributes that let us require fields, or specify a particular format; we have an API that lets us constrain and validate input; and finally, we have new form elements, such as datalist, that let us create engaging user interfaces without heavy JavaScript libraries or plugins.

Unfortunately, not every browser supports all of these features just yet. For now we still need to use JavaScript libraries, and polyfills (downloadable code which provides facilities that are not built into a web browser) as fall back strategies.

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