In the glossary we include terms and definitions that are specific to InfoPath, as well as those relating to the world of XML and its multitude of standards and specifications. Also included are a small number of definitions relating to XML in Microsoft Excel. For InfoPath element and attribute names, you should see Appendix A.
Each entry includes an acronym if there is one, and acronyms are entered in alphabetical order with “see” references to the full term.
The field on an InfoPath form in which the cursor is located.
A data access interface that communicates with OLE DB-compliant data sources to connect to, retrieve, manipulate, and update data.
See ActiveX Data Objects.
The process of merging a set of InfoPath forms. Usually the forms will have an identical structure, but it is possible to merge forms with different schemas using XSLT.
XML name-value pair included in an element that sets its properties.
A field in an InfoPath data source that is an attribute.
To associate a control in an InfoPath form with an element or attribute in a data source. Data contained in bound controls is saved to the underlying XML document.
A W3C specification for applying style to HTML or XML elements. CSS can be embedded in an XSL or HTML file or stored in a separate linked file.
A section in an XML document where the characters represent text content as distinct from markup.
An element contained by another element in an XML tree structure.
The definition of an object, including the name, properties and methods, and any events that it has. An instance of a class has all of the defined characteristics of the class.
A specification developed by Microsoft for software components that can be assembled into programs or can add functionality to existing programs.
Rules that change the appearance of an InfoPath form control, including its visibility.
The description of the set of elements and attributes contained inside another XML element. If an XML element can have child elements and attributes that are not declared in a schema, it is said to have an open-content model.
An InfoPath object used to submit data to and retrieve data from databases, Web services, and XML files.
Fields and groups bound to controls on an InfoPath form that define and store the data.
The process of testing the accuracy of form data. In InfoPath, validation can be applied from an XML Schema, a form control, or scripting code.
See Dublin Core.
Programming based on independent rules. The order in which rules are declared or executed is not significant. XSLT is an example.
InfoPath design mode allows you to design the form interface and extract the files that make up a form.
An InfoPath validation alert that opens a dialog box with a custom error message.
Formal definition of what XML syntax represents. Once a document is parsed, the DOM can be processed using script.
A recommendation for the content of resource meta data by the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative.