SWE 205 In-Class Exercise
Flow and Formatting/Errors

This is an in-class group exercise. Do this with everyone at your table.

Consider entering (e.g. into a web form) "typed" information such as dates, credit card information, or ID numbers. There are many ways that a form can capture such data. Some of these ways have better flow than others. Some of these ways have better avoidance of and/or recovery from errors. The two notions are related.

1. Pick a data type.
2. Enumerate the ways a form might capture that data, ideally with real examples. (You don't need to limit yourself to browsers.) Consider possible defaults as well as data entry. For each of those ways, identify
   • How that scores with respect to flow.
   • The possible errors that can happen, and what that does to flow.
   • How careful attention to the design of the form can limit errors.

Note: Ignore that browsers might offer to fill fields for you.