Form (document)
Encyclopedia
A form is a document
with spaces (fields) in which to write
or select, for a series of documents with similar contents. The documents usually have the printed parts in common, possibly except for a serial number
. Advantages of forms include:
A form on a computer allows for conveniently typing in the variable parts (the input data).
Forms, when completed, may be a statement, a request, an order
, etc., e.g. a check may be a form. Also there are forms for taxes; filling one in is a duty to have determined how much tax one owes, and/or the form is a request for a refund. See also Tax return
.
Forms may be filled out in duplicate (or triplicate, meaning three times) when the information gathered on the form needs to be distributed to several departments within an organisation. This can be done using carbon paper
.
Forms have existed for a significant amount of time, with historians of law
have discovered preprinted legal forms from the early 19th century that greatly simplified the task of drafting complaint
s and various other legal pleadings. It is believed that the form was conceived by mathematician and inventor Charles Babbage
. In some jurisdictions, like California
, many common types of legal pleadings must be submitted on official government forms.
Blank forms are generally not copyrightable.
Document
The term document has multiple meanings in ordinary language and in scholarship. WordNet 3.1. lists four meanings :* document, written document, papers...
with spaces (fields) in which to write
Writing
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...
or select, for a series of documents with similar contents. The documents usually have the printed parts in common, possibly except for a serial number
Serial number
A serial number is a unique number assigned for identification which varies from its successor or predecessor by a fixed discrete integer value...
. Advantages of forms include:
- one has to write less (while the printing is almost universally done in some automatic way)
- one is told or reminded what information has to be supplied
- uniformity, for convenience in processing
A form on a computer allows for conveniently typing in the variable parts (the input data).
Forms, when completed, may be a statement, a request, an order
Order (business)
In business or commerce, an order is a stated intention, either spoken or written, to engage in a commercial transaction for specific products or services. From a buyer's point of view it expresses the intention to buy and is called a purchase order. From a seller's point of view it expresses the...
, etc., e.g. a check may be a form. Also there are forms for taxes; filling one in is a duty to have determined how much tax one owes, and/or the form is a request for a refund. See also Tax return
Tax return
A tax return is a tax form that can be filed with a government body to declare liability for taxation in various countries:* Tax return * Tax return * Tax return * Tax return...
.
Forms may be filled out in duplicate (or triplicate, meaning three times) when the information gathered on the form needs to be distributed to several departments within an organisation. This can be done using carbon paper
Carbon paper
Carbon paper is paper coated on one side with a layer of a loosely bound dry ink or pigmented coating, usually bound with wax. It is used for making one or more copies simultaneous with the creation of an original document...
.
Forms have existed for a significant amount of time, with historians of law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
have discovered preprinted legal forms from the early 19th century that greatly simplified the task of drafting complaint
Complaint
In legal terminology, a complaint is a formal legal document that sets out the facts and legal reasons that the filing party or parties In legal terminology, a complaint is a formal legal document that sets out the facts and legal reasons (see: cause of action) that the filing party or parties In...
s and various other legal pleadings. It is believed that the form was conceived by mathematician and inventor Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage, FRS was an English mathematician, philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer who originated the concept of a programmable computer...
. In some jurisdictions, like California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, many common types of legal pleadings must be submitted on official government forms.
Blank forms are generally not copyrightable.
See also
- DatabaseDatabaseA database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
- QuestionnaireQuestionnaireA questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents. Although they are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, this is not always the case...
- XFormsXFormsXForms is an XML format for the specification of a data processing model for XML data and user interface for the XML data, such as web forms...
- Form (web)Form (web)A webform on a web page allows a user to enter data that is sent to a server for processing. Webforms resemble paper or database forms because internet users fill out the forms using checkboxes, radio buttons, or text fields...
- Form (programming)Form (programming)In component-based programming , a form is an easy way to create a GUI window. A form contains components and controls, which are a high-level representation of standard GUI widgets; it's easier to manipulate the high-level wrappers than to deal with the underlying API.At design time, visual...
- Oracle FormsOracle FormsOracle Forms is a software product for creating screens that interact with an Oracle database. It has an IDE including an object navigator, property sheet and code editor that uses PL/SQL. It was originally developed to run server-side in character mode terminal sessions. It was ported to other...
- Windows FormsWindows FormsWindows Forms is the name given to the graphical application programming interface included as a part of Microsoft .NET Framework, providing access to native Microsoft Windows interface elements by wrapping the extant Windows API in managed code...
- Master-detailMaster-detailIn computer user interface design, a master–detail interface displays a master list and the details for the currently selected item.A master area can be a form, list or tree of items, and a detail area can be a form, list or tree of items typically placed either below or next to the master area...
- Enterprise Forms AutomationEnterprise forms automationEnterprise Forms Automation is a company-wide computer system or set of systems for managing, distributing, completing and processing paper-based forms, applications, surveys, contracts and other documents...