book

The Definitive Guide to HTML5

by Adam Freeman

December 2011

Beginner to intermediate

1080 pages

23h 42m

English

Apress

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The History of HTMLIntroducing HTML5The Current State of HTML5The Structure of This BookFinding More Information About HTML5Summary
Selecting a BrowserSelecting an HTML EditorSelecting a Web ServerObtaining Node.jsGetting the Sample CodeSummary

Using ElementsUsing Element AttributesCreating an HTML DocumentUsing HTML EntitiesThe HTML5 Global AttributesUseful HTML ToolsSummary
Defining and Applying a StyleUnderstanding How Styles Cascade and InheritWorking with CSS ColorsUnderstanding CSS LengthsOther CSS UnitsTesting for CSS Feature SupportUseful CSS ToolsSummary
Getting Ready to Use JavaScriptUsing StatementsDefining and Using FunctionsUsing Variables and TypesUsing JavaScript OperatorsWorking with ArraysHandling ErrorsComparing the undefined and null ValuesUseful JavaScript ToolsSummary
Understanding the Sematic/Presentation DivideUnderstanding How to Select ElementsUnderstanding Element DescriptionsElement Quick ReferenceUnimplemented ElementsSummary
Setting Up the Basic Document StructureDescribing Documents with the Metadata ElementsUsing the Scripting ElementsSummary
Creating HyperlinksAnnotating Content with the Basic Text ElementsCreating BreaksRepresenting Inputs and OutputsCreating Citations, Quotations, Definitions, and AbbreviationsWorking with the Language ElementsWrapping Up: The Other Text ElementsSummary
Understanding the Need to Group ContentCreating ParagraphsUsing the div ElementWorking with Preformatted ContentQuoting from Other SourcesAdding Thematic BreaksGrouping Content into ListsDealing with FiguresSummary
Adding Basic HeadingsHiding SubheadingsCreating SectionsAdding Headers and FootersAdding Navigation BlocksWorking with ArticlesCreating SidebarsProviding Contact InformationCreating a Details SectionSummary
Creating a Basic TableAdding Headers CellsAdding Structure to a TableCreating Irregular TablesAssociating Headers with CellsAdding a Caption to a TableWorking with ColumnsApplying Borders to the table ElementSummary
Creating a Basic FormConfiguring the FormAdding Labels to a FormAutomatically Focusing on an input ElementDisabling Individual input ElementsGrouping Form Elements TogetherUsing the button ElementWorking with Elements Outside the FormSummary
Using the input Element for Text InputUsing the input Element for Password InputUsing the input Element to Create ButtonsUsing the input Element to Restrict Data EntryUsing the input Element to Obtain Search TermsUsing the input Element to Create Hidden Data ItemsUsing the input Element to Create Image Buttons and MapsUsing the input Element to Upload FilesSummary
Using the Other Form ElementsUsing Input ValidationDisabling Input ValidationSummary
Embedding an ImageEmbedding Another HTML DocumentEmbedding Content Using PluginsOther Uses for the object ElementEmbedding Numeric RepresentationsOther Embedding ElementsSummary
Understanding CSS StandardizationUnderstanding the Box ModelSelectors Quick ReferenceProperties Quick ReferenceSummary
Using the Basic CSS SelectorsCombining SelectorsUsing Pseudo-Element SelectorsSummary
Using the Structural Pseudo-Class SelectorsUsing the UI Pseudo-Class SelectorsUsing the Dynamic Pseudo-Class SelectorsOther Pseudo-SelectorsSummary
Applying a BorderSetting Element BackgroundsCreating a Box ShadowUsing OutlinesSummary
Applying Padding to an ElementAppling Margin to an ElementControlling the Size of an ElementDealing with Overflowing ContentControlling Element VisibilitySetting an Element Box TypeCreating Floating BoxesSummary
Positioning ContentCreating Multicolumn LayoutsCreating Flexible Box LayoutsCreating Table LayoutsSummary
Applying Basic Text StylesDecorating and Transforming TextCreating Text ShadowsWorking with FontsUsing Web FontsSummary
Using TransitionsUsing AnimationsUsing TransformsSummary
Setting Element Color and TransparencyStyling TablesStyling ListsStyling the CursorSummary
Understanding the Document Object ModelUnderstanding DOM Levels and ComplianceThe DOM Quick ReferenceSummary
Working with Document MetadataObtaining HTML Element ObjectsNavigating the DOM TreeSummary
Obtaining a Window ObjectGetting Information about the WindowInteracting with the WindowPrompting the UserGetting General InformationWorking with the Browser HistoryUsing Cross-Document MessagingUsing TimersSummary
Working with Element ObjectsWorking with TextModifying the ModelSummary
Working with StylesheetsWorking with Element StylesWorking with CSSStyleDeclaration ObjectsWorking with Computed StylesSummary
Using Simple Event HandlersUsing the DOM and the Event ObjectWorking with the HTML EventsSummary
The Document and Metadata ObjectsThe Text ElementsThe Grouping ElementsThe Section ElementsThe Table ElementsThe Form ElementsThe Content ElementsSummary
Getting Started with AjaxUsing the Ajax EventsDealing with ErrorsGetting and Setting HeadersMaking Cross-Origin Ajax RequestsAborting RequestsSummary
Getting Ready to Send Data to the ServerSending Form DataSending Form Data Using a FormData ObjectSending JSON DataSending FilesTracking Upload ProgressRequesting and Processing Different Content TypesSummary
Using the video ElementUsing the audio ElementWorking with Embedded Media via the DOMSummary
Getting Started with the Canvas ElementGetting a Canvas ContextDrawing RectanglesSetting the Canvas Drawing StateSaving and Restoring Drawing StateDrawing ImagesSummary
Drawing Using PathsDrawing ArcsDrawing Bezier CurvesCreating a Clipping RegionDrawing TextUsing Effects and TransformationsSummary
Creating the Source ItemsCreating the Drop ZoneWorking with the DataTransfer ObjectSummary
Using GeolocationHandling Geolocation ErrorsSpecifying Geolocation OptionsMonitoring the PositionSummary
Using Local StorageUsing Session StorageSummary
Defining the ProblemDefining the ManifestDetecting the Browser StateWorking with the Offline CacheSummary

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C H A P T E R 12

Working with Forms

Forms are the HTML mechanism for gathering input from the user. Forms are incredibly important to web applications, but for many years the functionality defined in HTML has lagged behind the way forms are used. In HTML5, the entire form system has been overhauled and spruced up, aligning the standard with the way forms have evolved in use.

In this chapter, I describe the basics of HTML forms. I start by defining a very simple form and build on it to demonstrate how you configure and control the way the form operates. I introduce a Node.js script you can use to test your forms and see the data that is sent from the browser to the server.

In the chapter that follows, I cover the advanced form features, including ...