[Sigia-l] "clear" button on web forms

[Listera]

T. Karsjens:

> First, to answer the second question; I do not consider web forms analogous
> to a client/server app.  The biggest difference is with a web app, you have
> to separate the inputs and outputs, where in a client server app inputs and
> outputs can be mixed.

How so?

> Web forms may resemble, loosely, a client application, but essentially a
> client application can contain significantly more functionality on one screen
> than a web app.  

How so?

> A client app can be significantly more recursive, faster, and more powerful
> than a web application.

How many "client" apps have you built that was faster and more powerful
than, say, Google?
 
> In a web app, you either submit the data or you do not.

And in a "client" app?

> In a client server application, you only have the one option of closing the
> window.  

How so?

> I can see the merits of having a clear, or a reset button in a client server
> app, 

Like what?

> especially if it is a data entry form that clears on final submit,
> enabling the user to enter a new data record.

Which would be trivial to emulate on a web form.
 
> In this scenario, the data entry person might enter the same information
> twice, accidentally.

It's as trivial to catch duplicates with a web form as it is with a "client"
app?
 
> In another scenario, a user is filling out the fields in an intelligent
> filter application to sift through thousands of records.  This initial form
> limits the "results" of the filter in another panel in the client
> application.  Once they reach the desired record, and they want to move on
> to the next record, having a "clear" button here would also be beneficial.
> One may also argue that in a similar web application that carries the
> entered data across the session, having a "clear" button would also be
> beneficial.

In other words, there's no difference.

> However, when in doubt, if I am architecting a web application, I will, by
> default, leave the "reset", "clear" or "undo" button off of any form.

Wise man.

Ziya
Nullius in Verba