I'm looking for suggestions on various ways of handling form layout - specifically auto generating labels for form components, and the associated markup surrounding the form fields.
I've currently got a system in place that allows you to add the fields very simply, and then uses a technique similar to "forms with flair" http://londonwicket.org/content/LondonWicket-FormsWithFlair.pdf to add the labels, error messages and standard markup. What this gives us is a means for developers to have accessible standards compliant forms (all labelled and linked) without each dev having to manually add the appropriate markup structure. Eg, Java: Form form = new Form("form", new PersonModel()); form.add(new TextField("name")); form.add(new CheckBoxMultipleChoice("breakfasts", breakfastList).setRequired(true)); form.visitFormComponents(new MyLabelMakerOfAwesome()); add(form); Wicket Html: <form wicket:id="form"> <input type="text" wicket:id="name" /> <wicket:container wicket:id="breakfasts" /> </form> Actual output <form> <div class="form-field"> <label for="name">Name</label> <input type="text" name="name" value="" id="name"/> </div> <div class="form-field"> <fieldset> <legend>Breakfasts <em class="required">*</em></legend> <ul> <li><label>Egg <input type="checkbox" name="breakfasts" /></label></li> <li><label>Bacon <input type="checkbox" name="breakfasts" /></label></li> <li><label>Toast <input type="checkbox" name="breakfasts" /></label></li> </ul> </fieldset> </div> </form> Manual markup of each form is a common point of failure, especially with hundreds of fields and tens of developers. This works well in MOST circumstances... except when you want to work outside of the default. I am looking for a solution that will allow me to: a/ embed 3rd party components without them being effected (eg, the calendar/datepicker controls). b/ be able to update the LABELS only with Ajax - without replacing the field. c/ easily exclude fields from the default. d/ be able to add new fields to the form with Ajax (currently fields added like this are not effected by the visitor). I'd love some ideas re: the best way of achieving this. I'm not asking for code :) just ideas. I think it could be very useful - especially if the markup is easily changed to meet individual project requirements, and definitely gives a more DRY approach to forms. ps, i wrote this all in a simple text editor so if there are any flaws, I hope the message is still communicated ;) -- View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/Labelling-standard-layout-for-form-components.-tp20653187p20653187.html Sent from the Wicket - User mailing list archive at Nabble.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
