The “action” attribute in the <form> tag specifies the URL where the form data should be submitted when the user submits the form. It defines the destination for processing the form input on the server side, such as a script, a server-side application, or an API endpoint.
Syntax
<form action="URL">
<!-- Form fields -->
</form>
The table below illustrates the Key Concepts alongside their description.
| Key Point | Description |
|---|---|
| URL | The value of the “action” attribute should be a valid URL pointing to the server-side script or endpoint for processing form data. |
| Relative vs. Absolute | The URL can be relative to the current page or an absolute URL, depending on the location of the processing script. |
| Empty Action | If the “action” attribute is omitted, the form data will be submitted to the current page URL (self-submitting). |
| Server-side Processing | The specified URL typically handles form submission, processes input data, and generates a response (e.g., database update, email sending). |
Features
- The “action” attribute plays a crucial role in defining the server-side processing logic for form submissions, enabling dynamic interaction between the client and server.
- It allows developers to integrate forms with server-side scripts or applications, facilitating data processing, validation, and storage.
- Form submissions can trigger various server-side actions, such as database operations, file uploads, email notifications, or API requests.