

The original version of XFDL was published as a W3C Note in 1998. XFDL is the result of developing an XML syntax for the UFDL, thereby permitting the expression of forms in a syntax that promotes application interoperability and adherence to worldwide Internet standards. It has no relation to the current IBM Forms product.įrom 1993 to 1998, PureEdge (since acquired by IBM) developed the Universal Forms Description Language (UFDL). In 1994, Lotus Development Corporation introduced Lotus Forms, another tool for creating electronic and printed forms. In 2010, it was rebranded IBM Forms, starting with version 4.0. In 2007, it was renamed Lotus Forms, starting with version 3.0. IBM bought PureEdge in 2005 and renamed the technology IBM Workplace Forms.

IBM Forms was originally a product called PureEdge Forms, developed by PureEdge Solutions based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

When a customer enters their information into a form and submits it for processing, their information could pass into a workflow application (such as FileNet or WebSphere Business Integration), a database (such as DB2 Universal Database or DB2 Content Manager), or any other type of application or process. IBM Forms can be used as the front-end for business processes such as opening a new account. With IBM Forms, organizations can use electronic forms to gather information from users and transmit that information to other systems. IBM Forms originally used Extensible Forms Description Language (XFDL) as the format for its electronic forms, and it has gradually added XForms to XFDL as that standard has matured.

IBM Forms consists of a server, designer, and client viewer that enable creation, deployment, and streamlining of forms-based processes. IBM Forms is a suite of products by IBM's Lotus Software division that interact to develop and deliver data-driven, XML-based electronic forms (e-forms) to end-users.
