Designer supports scripting with
both FormCalc and JavaScript. Each scripting language presents its
advantages that you should be aware of before you write any scripts
on your form.
FormCalc is a calculation language that includes a wide range
of built-in functions to simplify the most common form functionality.
For example, you can use FormCalc financial functions to evaluate
the size of a loan payment based on the principle amount, interest
rate, and number of payment periods.
JavaScript is a more powerful and diverse scripting language,
intended to give you more flexibility and leverage your existing
scripting knowledge. For example, you can reuse your existing JavaScript
functions in Designer to reduce the amount of new scripting you
need to create.
Note: Designer supports JavaScript version 1.6 or
earlier.
You can choose the scripting language that is used for new forms
in the Workspace panel in the Options dialog box, and for the current
form on the Defaults tab in the Form Properties dialog box.
The scripting language that is displayed in the Language list
in the Script Editor matches the scripting language option you select
as the default for new forms. However, if you change the scripting
language setting for the current form, the scripting language that
is displayed in the Language list changes similarly for new scripts
on new events. Changing the scripting language option in the Form Properties
dialog box does not change the scripting language that was used
for existing scripts. If an event already contains some script and
that script is deleted, the Script Editor continues to use that
scripting language for the duration of your Designer working session.
Note: Effective March 10, 2012, Adobe is deprecating the Guides
capabilities of Adobe® LiveCycle® ES. The Guides functionality is available
for upgrade purposes only and will be removed from the product after
two major releases.
The following table highlights some of the key differences between
FormCalc and JavaScript.
FormCalc
|
JavaScript
|
|---|
Native Adobe calculation language valid
in Designer and Forms
|
Standard scripting language used in many
popular software applications
|
Shorter scripts (typically one line only)
Supports
script looping
|
Potential for longer scripts, if necessary,
with the ability to use looping
|
Not supported by form Guides (deprecated)
|
Supported by form Guides (deprecated)
|
Contains a variety of useful built-in functions
to reduce the amount of scripting required to accomplish common form
design tasks
|
Provides access to the Acrobat Object Model
and the JavaScript capabilities of Acrobat
|
Support for international dates, times,
currencies, and number formats
|
Debugging possible by using the JavaScript
debugger in Acrobat
|
Built-in URL functions for Post, Put,
and Get allow web-based interactions
|
Create custom functions for your own specific
needs
|
Compatible on all Designer and Forms supported
platforms
|
Compatible on all Designer and Forms supported
platforms
|
