Before I begin, you might be wondering exactly what I mean by the word, “branching”. Consider a sign-up form for an e-commerce website — the data that needs to be collected for a potential wholesale customer is more extensive (e.g. company name, tax id, etc.) than what is necessary for a new retail customer.  Ideally, the application form would only display input fields for the more extensive data when the customer selects that they are indeed applying to become a wholesaler.  Those applicants that select the retail option shouldn’t be presented with input fields that are unrelated to their desired status.

While it is certainly possible to have multiple forms on different pages or to use a variable in the linking URL to serve a particular version of a form via PHP scripting, a more elegant (and efficient) solution is to use Javascript to dynamically alter the form in response to user input.

When using Javasacript to craft a branched form, there are three primary methods:

1. generate a pop-up window for the new inputs.
2. generate a pseudo pop-up for the new inputs.
3. toggle the visibility of a container to disply the new inputs.

I would recommend the third method (as it is the simplest) for most applications, but each has their own pros and cons and tastes may vary.

Generate a pop-up window for new inputs

(I’ve been interrupted and will finish this post in the morning)

We’ve come a long ways since we started in 2007 and we’re very excited about our new look and our new direction.  We’ve made a smooth transition away from being primarily just a web design shop and now offer dynamic web development and custom scripting to our clients.  We’ve added a specialist in print media and branding as well to increase the value we can bring to clients that are in need of a complete web solution.  To top it all off, we’ve updated our site and added an administrative login section for each of our clients.

This blog is just one aspect of our new and enhanced company website.  In addition to this WordPress blog, we also have fully functional and customized installations of Joomla, Zen Cart, and a Simple Machines Forum that we present as examples of what we can offer to clients.

In the future, we intend to fill this blog with information that might be of interest to our clients.  Subjects such as search engine optimization (SEO), W3C compatibility, and internet security are complex issues that frequently shift and change; by tackling these and other topics here we hope to help our clients better understand the internet and how to achieve their online goals.

Our desire is to provide concise, accurate, and accessible information regarding complex online issues so that our clients have the knowledge they need to make decisions regarding their web sites and all their online business.