Object-oriented form rendering using PHP, part 1

Well, hi again.

I have had to major annoyances these past two weeks:
- clearing my flat (those who know me well, know this is a endless task);
- and studying for a Dutch exam, which is today! So, there is lots of touching wood going on around here.

[UPDATE: the exam wasn't that difficult. I think I have made it to the next module. Actual results next Wednesday!]

The good news is I actually found my IT diploma certificate!

Other than that, I have continued my personal website, and also started working on anxcity, which I have already renamed zencity because we really want to focus on the aim rather than the "problem".

I know I shall be needing quite a few forms (especially for administration), so I have started developing a form publisher using object oriented PHP. The form and input nodes are ready, but I hope to be adding client-side and server-side rules shortly.

The general idea is (I haven't checked syntax so bare with me):

$form=new Form();
$name=new Text('name',40); // 40 is the size
$comment=new TextArea('comment',4,5);
$form->add($name);
$form->add($comment);
$form->display();

And of course ultimately:

// in the HTML head or before
$form=new Form();
$name=new Text('name',40); // 40 is the size
$name->addPreSubmitJS('trim');
$name->addOnSubmitJS('min-length',0);
$comment=new TextArea('comment',4,5);
$comment->addPreSubmitJS('trim');
$comment->addOnSubmitJS('min-length',0);
...
...
$form->add($name);
$form->add($comment);

// in the HTML head
$form->displayJS();

// in the HTML body
$form->display();

// once the form is actually submitted to server,
// apply server side rules

There are thus to separate types of rules:
- JS client-side rules (the usual: trim(), length()>0, etc.) that get tested before the HTTP request actually gets (or doesn't get) sent.
- PHP server-side rules (non-duplicate identifier, etc.) tested on the server-side once the HTTP request gets through.

Anyhow, once the personal website is up I shall be able to share more with you about the evolution of the project.

Any thoughts for now?