Input Controls Help to Replace

Input controls help to replace simple text inputs in order to increase the validity and integrity of data collected using forms. Their major function is that they help a user to perform a variety of functions such as inputting text or selecting items on a list. / / / states that input controls provide a framework for the type of data that users can submit on the form. Therefore selecting the type of input control is critical.

Four types of input controls

The first type of input control is the text input. Text input controls as the name suggests are used to input text. There are two types. The first is the text box and the other is the text read. A text box is a single-line input field which the user enters text such as names, chosen usernames, and email addresses. They can also be used to enter passwords since most programming languages allow obscuring of text in text boxes to allow passwords to be entered. The text box can also be tweaked to set a maximum or minimum length of input as well as to validate allowing only numbers or alphanumeric characters. Text areas are used where the user needs to enter large amount of text such as a description or story. The text area like the text input can be used to limit the number of characters that the user can enter. The size of the text area can also be controlled by altering its width and height. Text inputs have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that they are easy to use, flexible and many users are familiar with them. The disadvantages, however, are that they are often prone to errors and they normally do not limit users to pre-specified responses Shelly & Woods, 2008()

The second type of input control is the select box. There are two types of select boxes. The first is the single select box which provides a dropdown list of choices only one of which can be selected. The second type is the multiple select box which provides a dropdown list of choices and allows the user to pick more than one entry. These are usually chosen by holding down the control (Ctrl) key and clicking on multiple items. One advantage of select boxes is that they save space on the form. Their disadvantage, however, is that all other options other than the one selected are usually hidden until the user clicks on the dropdown Satzinger, Jackson, & Burd, 2008()

The third type of input control is the radio button. The radio button allows a user to choose a single choice from a group of related choices. The choices are usually arranged vertically, horizontally or in a grid pattern. One of their advantages is that they are easy to use and many individuals are familiar with them. Another advantage is that they help the user to choose an answer when all the choices are visible. Their disadvantage is that when there are many options, they use a lot of space on the form Duckett, 2011()

The last type of input control is the checkbox. The checkbox is similar to radio buttons with the only difference being that the former allows users to select multiple choices. They can be arranged like radio buttons (vertically, horizontally or in a grid pattern). Their major advantage is that they allow the user to choose their choice when all others are visible. Many people are also familiar with them and can use them quite fast. They, however, use up a lot of space when there are many options Duckett, 2011()

Data integrity errors that would occur