Differences between revisions 11 and 12
Revision 11 as of 2011-03-29 01:06:11
Size: 1663
Editor: shoobe01
Comment:
Revision 12 as of 2011-03-29 01:17:31
Size: 2034
Editor: shoobe01
Comment:
Deletions are marked like this. Additions are marked like this.
Line 6: Line 6:
*** Forms as a way to collect information in an ordered manner pre-date computing by at least a century. Many standards were developed in the paper form era, and have translated to computerized database forms, and then to web forms. The ubiquity of the web -- to software developers if not all users -- means forms for all computing types have settled on these standard input methods.

This pattern covers the text and textarea form methods.
This pattern covers the form methods similar to the text and textarea web form fields.
Line 13: Line 10:
Text - one-line Text - Text fields are single-line entry methods. For mobile, these should usually be restricted to only accepting as much input as can be seen in the form, though exceptions may be made, such as for URL entry.
Line 15: Line 12:
Textarea - multi-line Textarea - Textarea field are multi-line entry methods, with a fixed display heights. They are often configured to accept an arbitrary (though not infinite) amount of text, and are provided with a vertical scrolling mechanism to display text which does not fit in the field.
Line 17: Line 14:
In certain cases, such as the numeric entry field for the '''[[Dialer]]''', mobile devices may display an entry field that appears to be a Text field, but is in fact a Textarea. This variation is used due to the limited space on mobile devices -- the field is only as large as is needed at any one time.  In certain cases, such as the numeric entry field for the '''[[Dialer]]''', mobile devices may display an entry field that appears to be a Text field, but is in fact a Textarea. This variation is used due to the limited space on mobile devices -- the field is only as large as is needed at any one time, and expands to additional lines as more text is entered.
Line 21: Line 18:
immediate entry

cursor and focus...
Text '''Input Areas''' may only be used while in focus. Focus may be granted by scrolling with '''[[Directional Entry]]''' keys or by direct selection with a pen or finger.
Line 31: Line 26:
cursor and focus... See the '''[[Focus & Cursors]]''' pattern for additional details.

Problem

A method must be provided for users to enter text and other character-based information without restriction.

Solution

This pattern covers the form methods similar to the text and textarea web form fields.

Variations

Text - Text fields are single-line entry methods. For mobile, these should usually be restricted to only accepting as much input as can be seen in the form, though exceptions may be made, such as for URL entry.

Textarea - Textarea field are multi-line entry methods, with a fixed display heights. They are often configured to accept an arbitrary (though not infinite) amount of text, and are provided with a vertical scrolling mechanism to display text which does not fit in the field.

In certain cases, such as the numeric entry field for the Dialer, mobile devices may display an entry field that appears to be a Text field, but is in fact a Textarea. This variation is used due to the limited space on mobile devices -- the field is only as large as is needed at any one time, and expands to additional lines as more text is entered.

Interaction Details

Text Input Areas may only be used while in focus. Focus may be granted by scrolling with Directional Entry keys or by direct selection with a pen or finger.

enter is a linefeed on multi-line, submits forms or exits the field on single line

Pre-populated text... is just like user text, and can be edited.

Presentation Details

cursor and focus... See the Focus & Cursors pattern for additional details.

notes about input method and reference

field hints in the field, adjacent to the field, pros and cons of each

hints in the field must be differentiated from actual content, such as by being gray and italics...

hints in the field are not pre-populated, and disappear when focus is granted. when all content is removed (or none entered) and focus is removed, the hint appears again...

Antipatterns

Examples

Input Areas (last edited 2013-12-05 16:32:50 by shoobe01)