Database
FormReturn is structured into two programs, a client program for the design and publication of forms and a server program for the processing of forms and storage of form data. FormReturn's Server includes an embedded, networkable, JDBC compliant database which is used for four things:
- Source Data: Tables for storing records for each respondent that you are going to publish a form for.
- Publications: The storage of Form structure and publication information later used to process scanned images into captured data.
- Processing Queue: Where incoming scanned images are temporarily queued for processing.
- Captured Data: The storage of processed response data and processed images.
When the FormReturn client program starts up, by default it automatically connects to the server's database. It will also automatically launch the server if it has been configured to do so. You can also configure the client program to connect to any server via TCP/IP. This means that you can have multiple clients connecting to one server which is good for workgroups.
Accessing The Database
You can use the FormReturn client program to access data from the database running on the FormReturn Server. Simply click on one of the following items in the Application Toolbar at the top of the FormReturn client screen.
Source Data
Source Data contains data tables and records that have been added to FormReturn's database. To create a new data table and add records see the Quick Start Guide Part 3 for a brief tutorial.
Table: The table tab lets you see a list of the data table names in FormReturn. Add, edit, rename and remove data tables and fieldnames using the table and fieldname panels.
Records: The Records tab lets you see a list of records that have been added to the selected table. Add, edit or delete records using the records panel. Import and export records via a CSV data file or a JDBC import query.
Publications: The publications tab lets you see a list of the publications which have been made using the selected data table. Rename, delete publications using the Publications panel and re-print or export forms for a selected publication to a PDF file.
Processing Queue
The Processing Queue temporarily stores uploaded form images while they wait to be sent to the incoming images table. Form images that aren't recognized will be sent to the Unidentified images folder.
Unprocessed Images: Shows any form images still waiting to be sent to be processed. FormReturn's server processes forms almost instantly depending on the speed of your computer and the resolution of the form image.
Unidentified Images: Any image that wasn't able to be recognized will be sent to the unidentified images folder. If this happens, delete the image by selecting the image and click the "delete" button in the panel on the left. Images may not be recognized due to the quality of the scanned image causing the Form ID Barcode not being recognized. Re-scan the image and upload it again.
Captured Data
Captured Data will let you see a list of form publications and their stored response data and form images.
Publications: Publications will let you see a list of the stored publications and the number of forms in each one.
Forms: The forms view is a list of the forms from the selected publication. It shows the form ID and password (which were created together using the Form ID barcode when the form was published), the form's score and the number of pages in each form.
Form Pages: In the form pages view you will see a list of pages for the selected form. Select the page you want to view and in the panels on the right you will see the stored scanned form Image (Select View Full-Size Image) and the Captured Data which includes the "Field Name" (question name/captured data field name), "Captured Value" (which box was marked) and the "Mark" (the score calculated if a mark aggregation rule was set).
