Adobe Acrobat 7.0.5, Manual

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Forms and the Acrobat SDK
XML Forms and the Acrobat SDK
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Acrobat SDK User’s Guide
X M L Fo r m s a n d t h e Ac ro b a t S D K
For XML forms, there are additional properties and methods available only from JavaScript
that allow you to access XFA-specific objects. You cannot access these objects from a plug-
in or external application.
In particular, Acrobat JavaScript provides access to the XFA
appModel
container, which
provides properties and methods to query and manipulate the XML field hierarchy.
For more information on XML Forms, see the Acrobat JavaScript Scripting Guide or the
Acrobat JavaScript Scripting Reference .
Automatically Populating Forms
You can populate forms from a database or using a standards-based network protocol such
as SOAP. For more information, see
“Interacting with OBDC Databases” on page 54 and
“SOAP and Web Services” on page 74 .
XML Forms are particularly well suited for populating forms from an external database.
Creating Web-Ready Forms
Both Acrobat and XML forms can be used in workflows that require the exchange of
information over the Web. You can create forms that run in Web browsers, and can submit
and retrieve information between the client and server by making a
Submit button
available in the form. The button can perform tasks similar to those of HTML scripting
macros.
For more information, see the Acrobat JavaScript Scripting Guide .
Punchcard/Barcode Form Fields
With Adobe LiveCycle Designer, you can add interactive barcode form fields for various
identification purposes, such as product inventory. The bars and characters of interactive
barcode fields change to encrypt the data that is entered into other associated form fields.
Users filling out a form with a barcode cannot manually enter data into the barcode form
field.
You cannot read or modify barcode form fields using the Acrobat SDK.