Form Admin Meta Document

[Llewellynvdm]

This RFC has passed the official entrance vote in the production department.

• This feature is eligible for the Core.
• A working group will be formed to work out the implementation details through this RFC process.
• Official RFC Documentation can be found here: Form admin rfc#31

What Next

• Reading over the comments made here: Form admin rfc#31 please continue the discussion here on this thread.
• Give more Use Cases here.

1. Summary

Joomla uses forms based on XML and rendered with the help of the Form class.

While this is a flexible way and the forms can be changed with plugins, it is limited and in some way hard coded. Database constraints are implemented through business logic within the models and not on the database level.

This specification aims to define an extension of the form building process. After implementation it allows site builder the change the core forms. Adding and removing fields should be possible and core form building and custom fields are merged.

2. Why Bother?

Hard coded forms are not state of the art. Joomla! allows today a lot of flexibility but it is up to developers to implement. If we can change the way we are creating forms we would allow site builders to change Joomla that it fulfils the needs of clients better.

3. Scope

Planned feature for Joomla5.

3.1 Goals

Having a core component that allows configuration of forms and views. This includes custom fields and a migration from Joomla4.

Respect versioning for custom fields.

Creating a API for 3rd part components to use the functionality.

3.2 Non-Goals

Migration of 3rd part components to the new way of form rendering.

[Llewellynvdm]

What’s your use case?

If this feature sounds helpful to you, please reply to this comment with your use case. The more details and examples, the better we can understand your needs. Thank you!