CS50x threads to aide as a supplementary resource Forums Web Development HarvardX: CS50W – CS50’s Web Programming with Python and JavaScript CS50W – Lecture 0 – HTML and CSS Difference between text type and hidden type in context of adding custom Google Search form on a website

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 1 post (of 1 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #2783
    
    
    <!DOCTYPE html>
    <html lang="en>
       <head>
            <title> "Google Search" </title>
            <link rel="stylessheet" href="styles.css"
    
       </head>
       <body>
             <form action="https://google.com/search">
             <input name="q" type="text" />
             <input type="submit" value="Google Search" />
             </form>
        </body>
    </html>
    




       
            "Google Search"
           

       
       
             

             
             
             

       

    Instead of type=”text”, I believe type=”hidden” should be more relevant for input name=”q”.

    ChatGPT:

    Yes, you are correct that using type="hidden" for the <input type="text" /> field with name="q" would change its behavior. Here’s how it would affect the form:

    Understanding type="hidden"

    When you use type="hidden" for an <input type="text" /> field, it means that:

    • Visibility: The input field is hidden from the user interface. Users cannot see or interact with it directly on the webpage.
    • Data Submission: The input field’s value is still submitted along with the form data when the form is submitted.

    Applicability to Google Search Form

    In the context of your Google search form:




    • type="hidden": Changing type to "hidden" for the q input field means that users won’t see the search query input box. Instead, you’d manually set the value of q to the search query you want to submit. For example, <input name="q" type="hidden" value="openai gpt-3 tutorial" />.
  • Usage: This approach is suitable if you want to programmatically set the search query without user interaction visible on the webpage. It’s often used when you want to predefine the search query based on some context or data dynamically.

  • Considerations

    • User Interaction: With type="hidden", users won’t be able to modify the search query directly in the form. The search query is set by you in the HTML code.

    • Dynamic Values: You can dynamically generate the value of q using server-side scripting or JavaScript, allowing you to customize the search query based on user actions or other criteria.

    Conclusion

    Using type="hidden" for the q input field in your Google search form is appropriate if you want to control the search query programmatically and hide the input from users. It’s a design choice that depends on how you intend users to interact with your search form and what level of control you want over the search query submitted.

Viewing 1 post (of 1 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Scroll to Top