source: trunk/patForms.php @ 267

<?php
/**
 * patForms form manager class - serialize form elements into any given output format
 * using element classes, and build the output via renderer classes.
 *
 * $Id$
 *
 * @package     patForms
 * @author      Sebastian Mordziol <argh@php-tools.net>
 * @author      gERD Schaufelberger <gerd@php-tools.net>
 * @author      Stephan Schmidt <schst@php-tools.net>
 * @copyright   2003-2004 PHP Application Tools
 * @license     LGPL
 * @link        http://www.php-tools.net
 */

/**
 * set the include path
 */
if( !defined( 'PATFORMS_INCLUDE_PATH' ) ) {
    define( 'PATFORMS_INCLUDE_PATH', dirname( __FILE__ ). '/patForms' );
}

/**
 * location of global javascripts
 */
define('PATFORMS_SCRIPT_PATH', PATFORMS_INCLUDE_PATH . '/Scripts');

/**
 * needs helper methods of patForms_Element
 */
include_once PATFORMS_INCLUDE_PATH . "/Element.php";

/**
 * error definition: renderer base class file (renderers/_base.php) could not
 * be found.
 *
 * @see patForms::_createModule()
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_NO_MODULE_BASE_FILE", 1001 );

/**
 * error definition: the specified renderer could not be found.
 *
 * @see patForms::_createModule()
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND", 1002 );

/**
 * error definition: the element added via the {@link patForms::addElement()}
 * is not an object. Use the {@link patForms::createElement()} method to
 * create an element object.
 *
 * @see patForms::addElement()
 * @see patForms::createElement()
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_ELEMENT_IS_NO_OBJECT", 1003 );

/**
 * error definition: generic unexpected error.
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_UNEXPECTED_ERROR", 1004 );

/**
 * element does not exist
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_ELEMENT_NOT_FOUND", 1012 );

/**
 * renderer object has not been set - if you want to render the form, you have to
 * set a renderer object via the {@link patForms::setRenderer()} method. To create
 * a renderer, use the {@link patForms::createRenderer()} method.
 *
 * @see patForms::setRenderer()
 * @see patForms::createRenderer()
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_NO_RENDERER_SET", 1013 );

/**
 * invalid renderer
 *
 * @see createRenderer()
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_INVALID_RENDERER", 1014 );

/**
 * invalid method
 *
 * @see setMethod()
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_INVALID_METHOD", 1015 );

/**
 * Given parameter is not a boolean value
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_PARAMETER_NO_BOOL", 1016 );

/**
 * Given Static property does not exist
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_NO_STATIC_PROPERTY", 1017 );

/**
 * Unknown event
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_UNKNOWN_EVENT", 1018 );

/**
 * Invalid event handler
 */
define( "PATFORMS_ERROR_INVALID_HANDLER", 1019 );

/**
 * Event exists
 */
define( 'PATFORMS_NOTICE_EVENT_ALREADY_REGISTERED', 1020 );

/**
 * Invalid storage container
 */
define( 'PATFORMS_ERROR_INVALID_STORAGE', 1021 );

define( 'PATFORMS_NOTICE_ARRAY_EXPECTED', 1022 );

define( 'PATFORMS_NOTICE_ATTRIBUTE_NOT_SUPPORTED', 1023 );

define( 'PATFORMS_NOTICE_INVALID_OPTION', 1024 );

define( 'PATFORMS_ERROR_ATTRIBUTE_REQUIRED', 1025 );

define( 'PATFORMS_ERROR_CAN_NOT_VERIFY_FORMAT', 1026 );

define( 'PATFORMS_ERROR_METHOD_FOR_MODE_NOT_AVAILABLE', 1027 );


/**
 * errors apply on translating errors matching current locale settings
 */
define( 'PATFORMS_NOTICE_VALIDATOR_ERROR_LOCALE_UNDEFINED', 1028 );
define( 'PATFORMS_WARNING_VALIDATOR_ERROR_UNDEFINED', 1029 );

/**
 * Script file could not be loaded
 */
define( 'PATFORMS_WARNING_SCRIPTFILE_NOT_FOUND', 1040 );

/**
 * apply the rule before the built-in validation
 */
define( 'PATFORMS_RULE_BEFORE_VALIDATION', 1 );

/**
 * apply the rule after the built-in validation
 */
define( 'PATFORMS_RULE_AFTER_VALIDATION', 2 );

/**
 * apply the rule before AND after the built-in validation
 */
define( 'PATFORMS_RULE_BOTH', 3 );

/**
 * attach the observer to the elements
 */
define( 'PATFORMS_OBSERVER_ATTACH_TO_ELEMENTS', 1 );

/**
 * attach the observer to the form
 */
define( 'PATFORMS_OBSERVER_ATTACH_TO_FORM', 2 );

/**
 * attach the observer to the form and the elements
 */
define( 'PATFORMS_OBSERVER_ATTACH_TO_BOTH', 3 );

/**
 * group values should stay nested
 */
define('PATFORMS_VALUES_NESTED', 0);

/**
 * group values should be flattened
 */
define('PATFORMS_VALUES_FLATTENED', 1);

/**
 * group values should be prefixed
 */
define('PATFORMS_VALUES_PREFIXED', 2);

/**
 * Static patForms properties - used to emulate pre-PHP5 static properties.
 *
 * @see setStaticProperty()
 * @see getStaticProperty()
 */
$GLOBALS['_patForms']   =   array(
    'format'            =>  'html',
    'locale'            =>  'C',
    'customLocales'     =>  array(),
    'autoFinalize'      =>  true,
    'defaultAttributes' =>  array(),
    'elementCounter'    =>  0,
);

/**
 * patForms form manager class - serialize form elements into any given output format
 * using element classes, and build the output via renderer classes.
 *
 * @package     patForms
 * @author      Sebastian Mordziol <argh@php-tools.net>
 * @author      gERD Schaufelberger <gerd@php-tools.net>
 * @author      Stephan Schmidt <schst@php-tools.net>
 * @copyright   2003-2004 PHP Application Tools
 * @license     LGPL
 * @link        http://www.php-tools.net
 * @version     0.9.0a2
 * @todo        check the clientside functionality, as that can lead to broken pages
 */
class patForms
{
   /**
    * javascript that will displayed only once
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      array
    */
    var $globalJavascript   =   array();

   /**
    * javascript that will be displayed once per instance
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      array
    */
    var $instanceJavascript =   array();

   /**
    * stores the mode for the form. It defaults to 'default', and is only overwritten if
    * set specifically. It is passed on to any elements you create.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @see      setMode()
    */
    var $mode   =   'default';

   /**
    * XML entities
    *
    * @access   private
    * @see      toXML()
    * @todo     This is redundant to the Element's xmlEntities property - find a way to keep this in one place
    */
    var $xmlEntities = array(
        "<" =>  "&lt;",
        ">" =>  "&gt;",
        "&" =>  "&amp;",
        "'" =>  "&apos;",
        '"' =>  "&quot;"
    );

   /**
    * stores the format for the element. It defaults to 'html', and is only overwritten if
    * set specifically. It is passed on to any elements you create.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @see      setFormat()
    */
    var $format =   'html';

   /**
    * stores the flag telling the form whether it has been submitted - this is passed on to any
    * elements you create.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @see      setSubmitted()
    */
    var $submitted  =   false;

   /**
    * stores the element objects of this form.
    * @access   private
    * @see      addElement()
    */
    var $elements   =   array();

   /**
    * stores a renderer
    * @access   private
    * @see      setRenderer(), renderForm()
    */
    var $renderer       =   null;

   /**
    * stores the locale to use when adding validation errors for the whole form.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      string  $locale
    * @see      setLocale()
    */
    var $locale     =   'C';

   /**
    * stores custom locale
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      array
    * @see      setLocale()
    */
    var $customLocales = array();

   /**
    * stores the element name
    * @access   private
    * @see      getElementName()
    */
    var $elementName = 'Form';

   /**
    * flag to indicate, whether form should be validated automatically
    * by renderForm()
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      string
    * @see      setAutoValidate(), renderForm()
    */
    var $autoValidate   =   false;

   /**
    * name of the variable that indicates, whether the form has
    * been submitted.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      string
    * @see      setAutoValidate()
    */
    var $submitVar  =   null;

   /**
    * event handlers
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      array
    * @see      registerEventHandler()
    * @see      registerEvent()
    */
    var $_eventHandler  =   array();

   /**
    * events that can be triggered
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      array
    * @see      registerEventHandler()
    * @see      triggerEvent()
    * @see      registerEvent()
    */
    var $_validEvents   =   array( 'onInit', 'onValidate', 'onSubmit', 'onError', 'onSuccess' );

   /**
    * Stores whether the current form has been validated
    *
    * @access   private
    */
    var $validated  =   false;

   /**
    * Stores whether the current form is valid or not (after the
    * validation process)
    *
    * @access   private
    */
    var $valid  =   null;

   /**
    * Stores the names of all static properties that patForms will use as defaults
    * for the properties with the same name on startup.
    *
    * @access   private
    */
    var $staticProperties   =   array(
        'format'        =>  'setFormat',
        'autoFinalize'  =>  'setAutoFinalize',
        'locale'        =>  'setLocale',
    );

   /**
    * Stores the flag for the autoFinalize feature
    *
    * @access   private
    */
    var $autoFinalize   =   true;

   /**
    * custom validation rules
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      array
    */
    var $_rules         =   array();

   /**
    * define error codes an messages for the form
    *
    * Will be set by validation rules that have been
    * added to the form.
    *
    * @access private
    * @var  array   $validatorErrorCodes
    */
    var $validatorErrorCodes  =   array();

   /**
    * stores any validation errors that can occurr during the
    * form's validation process.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      array   $validationErrors
    */
    var $validationErrors  =   array();

   /**
    * next error offset for rules
    * @access   private
    * @var      integer
    */
    var $nextErrorOffset    =   1000;

   /**
    * Attributes of the form - needed to generate the form tag
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      array   $attributes
    * @see      setAttribute()
    */
    var $attributes =   array();

   /**
    * Attribute definition for the form - defines which attribute the form
    * itself supports.
    *
    * @access   public
    */
    var $attributeDefinition    =   array(

        'id' => array(
            'required'      =>  false,
            'format'        =>  'string',
            'outputFormats' =>  array( 'html' ),
        ),

        'name' => array(
            'required'      =>  true,
            'format'        =>  'string',
            'outputFormats' =>  array( 'html' ),
        ),

        'method' => array(
            'required'      =>  true,
            'format'        =>  'string',
            'default'       =>  'post',
            'outputFormats' =>  array( 'html' ),
        ),

        'action' => array(
            'required'      =>  true,
            'format'        =>  'string',
            'outputFormats' =>  array( 'html' ),
        ),

        'accept' => array(
            'required'      =>  false,
            'format'        =>  'string',
            'outputFormats' =>  array( 'html' ),
        ),

        'accept-charset' => array(
            'required'      =>  false,
            'format'        =>  'string',
            'outputFormats' =>  array( 'html' ),
        ),

        'enctype' => array(
            'required'      =>  false,
            'format'        =>  'string',
            'outputFormats' =>  array( 'html' ),
        ),

        'onreset' => array(
            'required'      =>  false,
            'format'        =>  'string',
            'outputFormats' =>  array( 'html' ),
        ),

        'onsubmit' => array(
            'required'      =>  false,
            'format'        =>  'string',
            'outputFormats' =>  array( 'html' ),
        ),

        'target' => array(
            'required'      =>  false,
            'format'        =>  'string',
            'outputFormats' =>  array( 'html' ),
        ),
    );

   /**
    * Stores all available patForms options - these are inherited by all elements
    * and their dependencies, like rules.
    *
    * Short option overview:
    *
    * - scripts: enable client script integration
    *
    * @access   public
    */
    var $options    =   array(

        'scripts' => array(
            'enabled' => false,
            'params' => array(
                'folder' => PATFORMS_SCRIPT_PATH,
                'jsInclude' => false
            ),
        ),
    );

   /**
    * the form's namespace
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      string
    */
    var $namespace = '';

   /**
    * observers of the form
    *
    * @access   private
    * @var      array
    */
    var $observers = array();

   /**
    * Sets the default attributes that will be inherited by any elements you add to the form.
    *
    * <b>Note:</b> You have to call this method statically before creating a new form if you use
    * patForm's automatic element creation feature via the {@link createForm()} method, as the
    * default attributes cannot be set after an element has been created.
    *
    * @static
    * @access   public
    * @param    array   $attributes The list of attributes to set with key => value pairs.
    */
    function setDefaultAttributes( $attributes )
    {
        patForms::setStaticProperty( 'defaultAttributes', $attributes );
    }

   /**
    * sets the locale (language) to use for the validation error messages of all elements
    * in the form.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string      language code
    * @param    string      optional language file
    * @return   bool        True on success
    */
    function setLocale( $locale, $languageFile = null )
    {
        if (!is_null($languageFile)) {
            $languageData   = patForms::parseLocaleFile($languageFile);

            $customLocales = patForms::getStaticProperty('customLocales');
            $customLocales[$locale] = $languageData;
            patForms::setStaticProperty('customLocales', $customLocales);
        }

        if( isset( $this ) && is_a( $this, 'patForms' ) ) {
            $this->locale = $locale;

            if( !empty( $this->elements ) ) {
                $cnt    =   count( $this->elements );
                for( $i=0; $i < $cnt; $i++ ) {
                    $this->elements[$i]->setLocale( $locale );
                }
            }
        } else {
            patForms::setStaticProperty('locale', $locale);
        }

        return true;
    }

   /**
    * checks, whether a locale is a custom locale
    *
    * @static
    * @access   public
    * @param    string      locale name
    * @return   boolean
    */
    function isCustomLocale($locale)
    {
        $customLocales = patForms::getStaticProperty('customLocales');
        if (isset($customLocales[$locale])) {
            return true;
        }
        return false;
    }

   /**
    * get the form's namespace
    *
    * @static
    * @access   public
    * @param    string      namespace
    * @return   string
    */
    function getNamespace()
    {
        return $this->namespace;
    }

   /**
    * set the form's namespace
    *
    * @static
    * @access   public
    * @param    string      namespace
    * @return   null
    */
    function setNamespace($namespace)
    {
        $this->namespace = $namespace;
        for($i=0; $i < count($this->elements); $i++) {
            $this->elements[$i]->setNamespace($namespace);
        }
    }

   /**
    * get the custom locale for an element or a rule
    *
    * @static
    * @access   public
    * @param    string      locale
    * @param    string      key
    * @return   array
    */
    function getCustomLocale($locale, $key)
    {
        $customLocales = patForms::getStaticProperty('customLocales');
        if (!isset($customLocales[$locale])) {
            return false;
        }
        if (!isset($customLocales[$locale][$key])) {
            return false;
        }
        return $customLocales[$locale][$key];
    }

   /**
    * parses a locale file
    *
    * @access   private
    * @param    string      filename
    * @return   array       locale information
    * @todo     add some file checks
    */
    function parseLocaleFile($filename)
    {
        return parse_ini_file($filename, true);
    }

   /**
    * sets the format of the element - this will be passed on to any elements you create. If you
    * have already added some elements when you call this method, it will be passed on to them too.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $format The name of the format you have implemented in your element(s).
    * @return   bool    $result True on success
    * @see      setMode()
    * @see      format
    * @see      serialize()
    */
    function setFormat( $format )
    {
        if( isset( $this ) && is_a( $this, 'patForms' ) )
        {
            $this->format   =   strtolower( $format );

            if( !empty( $this->elements ) )
            {
                $cnt    =   count( $this->elements );
                for( $i=0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
                {
                    $this->elements[$i]->setFormat( $format );
                }
            }
        }
        else
        {
            patForms::setStaticProperty( 'format', $format );
        }

        return true;
    }

   /**
    * sets the mode of the form - If you have already added some elements when you call this
    * method, it will be passed on to them too.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $mode   The mode to set the form to: default|readonly or any other mode you have implemented in your element class(es). Default is 'default'.
    * @see      setMode()
    * @see      mode
    * @see      serialize()
    */
    function setMode( $mode )
    {
        $this->mode =   strtolower( $mode );

        if( !empty( $this->elements ) )
        {
            $cnt    =   count( $this->elements );
            for( $i=0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
            {
                $this->elements[$i]->setMode( $mode );
            }
        }
    }

   /**
    * sets the current submitted state of the form. Set this to true if you want the form
    * to pick up its submitted data. It will pass on this information to all elements that
    * have been added so far, and new ones inherit it too.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    bool    $state  True if it has been submitted, false otherwise (default).
    * @see      isSubmitted()
    * @see      submitted
    */
    function setSubmitted( $state )
    {
        if( $state == true )
        {
            $eventState =   $this->triggerEvent( 'Submit' );
            if( $eventState === false )
                return  false;
        }

        $this->submitted    =   $state;

        if( !empty( $this->elements ) )
        {
            $cnt    =   count( $this->elements );
            for( $i=0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
            {
                $this->elements[$i]->setSubmitted( $state );
            }
        }

        return $state;
    }

   /**
    * sets the method for the request
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $method     GET or POST
    * @see      method
    * @uses     setAttribute()
    */
    function setMethod( $method )
    {
        $method =   strtolower( $method );

        if( $method != 'get' && $method != 'post' )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_INVALID_METHOD,
                'Unknown method "'.$method.'". Currently only GET and POST are supported as patForms methods.'
            );
        }
        $this->setAttribute( 'method', $method );
        return  true;
    }

   /**
    * sets the action for the form
    *
    * This is a only a wrapper for setAttribute()
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $action
    * @see      setAttribute()
    */
    function setAction( $action )
    {
        return $this->setAttribute( 'action', $action );
    }

   /**
    * Sets the AutoFinalize mode for the form. The AutoFinalize mode will tell patForms to
    * finalize all elements after the form has been validated successfully.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    boolean $mode       Whether to activate the AutoFinalize mode (true) or not (false).
    * @return   boolean $success    True if okay, a patError object otherwise.
    * @see      finalizeForm()
    */
    function setAutoFinalize( $mode )
    {
        if( !is_bool( $mode ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_PARAMETER_NO_BOOL,
                'The setAutoFinalize() method requires a boolean value ( true or false ) as parameter.'
            );
        }

        if( isset( $this ) && is_a( $this, 'patForms' ) )
        {
            $this->autoFinalize =   $mode;
        }
        else
        {
            patForms::setStaticProperty( 'autoFinalize', $mode );
        }

        return true;
    }

   /**
    * Wrapper method that adds a filter to all elements
    * of the form at once instead of having to do it for
    * each element.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    object  &$filter    The filter object to apply
    * @see      patForms_Element::applyFilter()
    * @todo     add error management and docs once the element's applyFilter method has too
    */
    function applyFilter( &$filter )
    {
        if( empty( $this->elements ) )
            return true;

        $cnt = count( $this->elements );

        for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
        {
            $this->elements[$i]->applyFilter( $filter );
        }
    }

   /**
    * creates a new patForms object and returns it; this method is made to be called statically
    * to be able to create a new patForms object from anywhere.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    array   $formDefinition     Optional form definition for elements that will be added to the form
    * @param    array   $attributes         The attributes to set for the form itself
    * @return   object patForms $form   The new patForms object.
    * @todo     it should be possible to pass Rule definitions, so they can be loaded and added automatically.
    */
    function &createForm( $formDefinition = null, $attributes = null )
    {
        $form   =   &new patForms();

        if( $attributes != null )
        {
            $form->setAttributes( $attributes );
        }

        if( $formDefinition === null )
            return  $form;

        foreach( $formDefinition as $name => $element )
        {
            if( !isset( $element["filters"] ) )
            {
                $element["filters"] =   null;
            }
            if( !isset( $element["children"] ) )
            {
                $element["children"]    =   null;
            }

            $el = &$form->createElement( $name, $element["type"], $element["attributes"], $element["filters"], $element["children"] );

            if( isset( $element["renderer"] ) ) {
                $el->setRenderer( $element["renderer"] );
            }

            $result     =   $form->addElement( $el );
            if (patErrorManager::isError( $result )) {
                return  $result;
            }
        }
        return $form;
    }

   /**
    * add a custom validation rule
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    object patForms_Rule    validation rule
    * @param    integer                 time to apply rule (before or after built-in validation)
    * @param    boolean                 apply the rule, even if the form is invalid
    * @param    boolean                 should form get revalidated (not implemented yet)
    * @return   boolean                 currently always true
    */
    function addRule( &$rule, $time = PATFORMS_RULE_AFTER_VALIDATION, $invalid = false, $revalidate = false )
    {
        $rule->prepareRule( $this );

        $this->_rules[] =    array(
                                    'rule'          =>  &$rule,
                                    'time'          =>  $time,
                                    'invalid'       =>  $invalid,
                                    'revalidate'    =>  $revalidate
                                 );
    }

   /**
    * patForms PHP5 constructor - processes some intitialization tasks like merging the currently
    * set static properties with the internal properties.
    *
    * @access   public
    */
    function __construct()
    {
        foreach( $this->staticProperties as $staticProperty => $setMethod )
        {
            $propValue  =   patForms::getStaticProperty( $staticProperty );
            if( patErrorManager::isError( $propValue ) )
                continue;

            $this->$setMethod( $propValue );
        }

        // initialize patForms internal attribute collection
        $this->loadAttributeDefaults();
    }

   /**
    * patForms pre-PHP5 constructor - does nothing for the moment except being a wrapper
    * for the PHP5 contructor for older PHP versions support.
    *
    * @access   public
    */
    function patForms()
    {
        patForms::__construct();
    }

   /**
    * sets a renderer object that will be used to render
    * the form.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    object      &$renderer  The renderer object
    * @return   mixed       $success    True on success, patError object otherwise.
    * @see      createRenderer()
    * @see      renderForm()
    */
    function setRenderer( &$renderer, $args = array() )
    {
        if( !is_object( $renderer ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_INVALID_RENDERER,
                'You can only set a patForms_Renderer object with the setRenderer() method, "'.gettype( $renderer ).'" given.'
            );
        }

        $this->renderer =   &$renderer;

        if( isset( $args['includeElements'] ) && $args['includeElements'] === true )
        {
            // check all elements - there may be some that need
            // renderers too, so we give them the same renderer if
            // they don't already have one.
            $cnt = count( $this->elements );
            for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
            {
                if( $this->elements[$i]->usesRenderer && !is_object( $this->elements[$i]->renderer ) )
                {
                    $this->elements[$i]->setRenderer( $renderer );
                }
            }
        }

        return true;
    }

   /**
    * sets a storage container object that will be used to store data
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    object patForms_Storage
    * @see      createStorage()
    */
    function setStorage( &$storage )
    {
        if( !is_object( $storage ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_INVALID_STORAGE,
                'You can only set a patForms_Storage object with the setStorage() method, "'.gettype( $storage ).'" given.'
            );
        }

        $this->registerEventHandlerObject( $storage,
                                            array(
                                                    'onInit'        =>  'loadEntry',
                                                    'onValidate'    =>  'validateEntry',
                                                    'onSuccess'     =>  'storeEntry'
                                                )
                                        );
    }

   /**
    * renders the form with the renderer that was set via the {@link setRenderer()}
    * method.
    *
    * WARNING: This is still in alpha state!
    *
    * Should this method return a reference??
    * The return value could contain large blocks of HTML or large arrays!
    * Do we want to copy these?
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    mixed   $args       arguments that will be passed to the renderer
    * @return   mixed   $form       The rendered form, or false if failed.
    */
    function renderForm( $args = null )
    {
        if( $this->renderer === null )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_NO_RENDERER_SET,
                'Form cannot be rendered, you have to set a renderer first via the setRenderer() method.'
            );
        }

        // form is not submitted, or auto-validation is disabled => render it
        if( !$this->isSubmitted() || $this->autoValidate !== true )
        {
            $this->triggerEvent( 'Init' );
            return $this->renderer->render( $this, $args );
        }

        $this->validateForm();

        return $this->renderer->render( $this, $args );
    }

   /**
    * Validates all elements of the form.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    boolean     Flag to indicate, whether form should be validated again, if it already has been validated.
    * @return   boolean     True if all elements could be validated, false otherwise.
    * @see      finishForm()
    */
    function validateForm( $revalidate = false )
    {
        if( $this->validated && !$revalidate )
            return $this->valid;

        $valid  =   true;

        /**
         * validate custom rules
         */
        if( !$this->_applyRules( PATFORMS_RULE_BEFORE_VALIDATION ) )
        {
            $valid  =   false;
        }

        /**
         * validate elements
         */
        if( $valid === true )
        {
            $cnt    =   count( $this->elements );
            for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; ++$i )
            {
                if( !$this->elements[$i]->validate() )
                {
                    $valid  =   false;
                }
            }
        }

        /**
         * let listeners validate the form
         */
        if ($valid === true) {
            $result = $this->triggerEvent('Validate');
            if ($result === false) {
                $valid = false;
            }
        }

        /**
         * validate custom rules
         */
        if( !$this->_applyRules( PATFORMS_RULE_AFTER_VALIDATION, $valid ) )
        {
            $valid  =   false;
        }

        if( $valid === true && $this->autoFinalize === true )
            $this->finalizeForm();

        $this->valid    =   $valid;

        $this->validated = true;

        if( $valid === true )
        {
            $this->_announce( 'status', 'validated' );
            $event  =   'Success';
        }
        else
        {
            $this->_announce( 'status', 'error' );
            $event  =   'Error';
        }

        $this->triggerEvent( $event );

        return $this->valid;
    }

   /**
    * apply rules
    *
    * @access   private
    * @param    integer     time of validation
    * @param    boolean     form is valid
    * @return   boolean     rules are valid or not
    * @todo     add documentation
    */
    function _applyRules( $time, $isValid = true )
    {
        $valid = true;

        $cnt = count( $this->_rules );
        for ($i = 0; $i < $cnt; $i++) {

            // wrong time
            if (( $this->_rules[$i]['time'] & $time ) != $time) {
                continue;
            }
            if (!$isValid && !$this->_rules[$i]['invalid']) {
                continue;
            }

            $result =   $this->_rules[$i]['rule']->applyRule( $this, PATFORMS_RULE_AFTER_VALIDATION );
            if( $result === false ) {
                $valid  =   false;
            }
        }
        return  $valid;
    }

   /**
    * Finalizes the form by telling each fom element to finalize - finalizing means to
    * process any tasks that need to be done after the form has been validated, like
    * deleting any temporary files or whatever an element needs to do at that point.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   bool    $success    Wether all elements could be finalized
    * @see      validateForm()
    */
    function finalizeForm()
    {
        $success    =   true;

        $cnt    =   count( $this->elements );
        for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; ++$i )
        {
            if( !$this->elements[$i]->finalize() )
            {
                patErrorManager::raiseWarning(
                    PATFORMS_ERROR_ELEMENT_NOT_FINALIZED,
                    'Element "'.$this->elements[$i]->elementName.'" could not be finalized. See the element error messages for more details.'
                );

                $success    =   false;
            }
        }

        return $success;
    }

   /**
    * creates a new renderer from the patForms renderer collection and returns it.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string                      The name of the renderer to create - have a look at the Renderer/ subfolder for a list of available renderers.
    * @return   object patForms_Renderer    The renderer object, or error object
    */
    function &createRenderer( $name )
    {
        return  patForms::_createModule( 'Renderer', $name );
    }

   /**
    * creates a new storage container and returns it.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string                      The name of the storage to create - have a look at the Storage/ subfolder for a list of available storage containers.
    * @return   object patForms_Storage     The storage container, or error object
    */
    function &createStorage( $name )
    {
        return  patForms::_createModule( 'Storage', $name );
    }

   /**
    * creates a new datasource and returns it.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string                      The name of the datasource to create - have a look at the Datasource/ subfolder for a list of available storage containers.
    * @return   object patForms_Storage     The storage container, or error object
    */
    function &createDatasource($name)
    {
        return patForms::_createModule('Datasource', $name, false);
    }

   /**
    * Creates a new filter and returns it.
    *
    * You may pass an array as second parameter that contains
    * parameters for the filter. patForms will check for setter methods
    * for all keys and set the corresponding values.
    *
    * This eases the creating of simple filter objects.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string                      The name of the filter to create - have a look at the Filter/ subfolder for a list of available filters.
    * @param    array                       Optional parameters for the filter, if you provide a parameter, make sure the filter implements a set[Paramname]() method.
    *                                       This will be automated with interceptors in the PHP5 version of patForms
    * @return   object patForms_Filter      The filter, or error object
    */
    function &createFilter( $name, $params = null )
    {
        $filter =   &patForms::_createModule( 'Filter', $name );

        if(!is_array($params)) {
            return  $filter;
        }

        foreach( $params as $param => $value )
        {
            $setter     =   'set' . ucfirst( $param );
            if( method_exists( $filter, $setter ) )
            {
                $filter->$setter( $value );
            }
        }
        return  $filter;
    }

   /**
    * creates a new rule from the patForms rule collection and returns it.
    *
    * If your rules are not located in patForms/Rule you have to load and
    * instantiate them on your own.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string                  The name of the rule to create - have a look at the Rule/ subfolder for a list of available rules.
    * @param    string                  The id of the rule, needed if the rule uses client side actions.
    * @return   object patForms_Rule    The rule object, or error object
    */
    function &createRule( $name, $id = null )
    {
        $rule   =   &patForms::_createModule( 'Rule', $name );
        if( $id != null )
        {
            $rule->setId( $id );
        }
        return $rule;
    }

   /**
    * creates a new observer from the patForms observer collection and returns it.
    *
    * If your observers are not located in patForms/Observer you have to load and
    * instantiate them on your own.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string                      The name of the observer to create - have a look at the Observer/ subfolder for a list of available observers.
    * @return   object patForms_Observer    The observer object, or error object
    */
    function &createObserver( $name )
    {
        $observer = &patForms::_createModule( 'Observer', $name );

        return $observer;
    }

   /**
    * creates a new module for patForms
    *
    * @access   private
    * @param    string  $type       type of the module. Possible values are 'Renderer', 'Rule'
    * @param    string  $name       The name of the renderer to create - have a look at the renderers/ subfolder for a list of available renderers.
    * @return   object  $module     The module object, or an error object
    */
    function &_createModule($type, $name, $hasBaseClass = true)
    {
        if ($hasBaseClass) {
            $baseFile  = PATFORMS_INCLUDE_PATH . '/'.$type.'.php';
            $baseClass = 'patForms_'.$type;
            if (!class_exists( $baseClass)) {
                if (!file_exists($baseFile)) {
                    return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                        PATFORMS_ERROR_NO_MODULE_BASE_FILE,
                        $type .' base file could not be found',
                        'Tried to load base file in path "'.$baseFile.'"'
                    );
                }
                include_once $baseFile;
            }
        }

        // if there is an underscore in the module name, we want
        // to load the module from a subfolder, so we transform
        // all underscores to slashes.
        $pathName = $name;
        if (strstr($pathName, '_' )) {
            $pathName = str_replace( '_', '/', $name );
        }

        $moduleFile  = PATFORMS_INCLUDE_PATH . '/'.$type.'/'.$pathName.'.php';
        $moduleClass = 'patForms_'.$type.'_'.$name;


        if( !class_exists( $moduleClass ) )
        {
            if( !file_exists( $moduleFile ) )
            {
                return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                    PATFORMS_ERROR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND,
                    $type.' "'.$name.'" file "'.$moduleFile. '" could not be found.'
                );
            }

            include_once $moduleFile;
        }

        $module =   &new $moduleClass();

        return $module;
    }

   /**
    * adds an element to the form - has to be a patForms_Element object. Use the {@link createElement()}
    * method to create a new element object. Also takes care of passing on the form's configuration
    * including the mode, format and submitted flags to the element.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    object  &$element   The patForms_Element object to add to this form.
    * @return   bool    $success    True if everything went well, false otherwise.
    * @see      patForms_Element
    * @see      createElement()
    */
    function addElement( &$element )
    {
        if( !is_object( $element ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_ELEMENT_IS_NO_OBJECT,
                'The addElement() method expects an element object, "'.gettype( $element ).'" given.'
            );
        }

        if( patErrorManager::isError( $element ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_UNEXPECTED_ERROR,
                'The element you are trying to add is a patError object, and not a patForms element object.'
            );
        }

        if( !$element->getId() ) {
            $element->setId( $this->getElementId() );
        }
        $element->setMode( $this->getMode() );
        $element->setFormat( $this->getFormat() );
        $element->setSubmitted( $this->isSubmitted() );
        $element->setLocale( $this->getLocale() );
        $element->setNamespace( $this->getNamespace() );

        $this->elements[]   =&  $element;

        return true;
    }

   /**
    * replaces an element in the form
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    object  $element    The patForms_Element object to be replaced
    * @param    object  &$replace   The element that will replace the old element
    * @return   bool    $success    True if everything went well, false otherwise.
    * @see      patForms_Element
    * @see      addElement()
    */
    function replaceElement( $element, &$replace )
    {
        if( !is_object( $replace ) ) {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_ELEMENT_IS_NO_OBJECT,
                'The addElement() method expects an element object, "'.gettype( $replace ).'" given.'
            );
        }

        if( patErrorManager::isError( $replace ) ) {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_UNEXPECTED_ERROR,
                'The element you are trying to add is a patError object, and not a patForms element object.'
            );
        }

        if (is_object($element)) {
            $element = $element->getId();
        }

        $cnt = count($this->elements);
        for ($i = 0; $i < $cnt; $i++) {
            if ($this->elements[$i]->getId() === $element) {

                if( !$replace->getId() ) {
                    $replace->setId( $this->getElementId() );
                }
                $replace->setMode( $this->getMode() );
                $replace->setFormat( $this->getFormat() );
                $replace->setSubmitted( $this->isSubmitted() );
                $replace->setLocale( $this->getLocale() );

                $this->elements[$i] = &$replace;
                return true;
            }

            // the current element is a container
            if (method_exists($this->elements[$i], 'replaceElement')) {
                $result = $this->elements[$i]->replaceElement($element, $replace);
                if ($result === true) {
                    return $result;
                }
            }
        }

        return false;
    }

   /**
    * Get an element by its name.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $name   name of the element
    * @return   object          patForms element
    * @deprecated   please use patForms::getElementByName() instead
    */
    function &getElement( $name )
    {
        return $this->getElementByName( $name );
    }

   /**
    * Get an element by its name.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $name   name of the element
    * @return   mixed           either a patForms element or an array containing patForms elements
    * @see      getElementById()
    */
    function &getElementByName( $name )
    {
        if( $name == '__form' ) {
            return $this;
        }

        $elements = array();
        $cnt      = count( $this->elements );
        for ($i = 0; $i < $cnt; $i++) {
            if ($this->elements[$i]->getName() == $name) {
                $elements[] = &$this->elements[$i];
                continue;
            }
            if (method_exists($this->elements[$i], 'getElementById')) {
                patErrorManager::pushExpect(PATFORMS_ERROR_ELEMENT_NOT_FOUND);
                $result = &$this->elements[$i]->getElementByName($name);
                patErrorManager::popExpect();
                if (!patErrorManager::isError($result)) {
                    if (is_array($result)) {
                        $cnt2 = count( $result );
                        for ($j = 0; $j < $cnt2; $j++) {
                            $elements[] = &$result[$j];
                        }
                    } else {
                        $elements[] = &$result;
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        switch( count( $elements ) )
        {
            case    0:
                return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                    PATFORMS_ERROR_ELEMENT_NOT_FOUND,
                    'Element '.$name.' could not be found.'
                );
                break;
            case    1:
                return  $elements[0];
                break;
            default:
                return  $elements;
                break;
        }
    }

   /**
    * Get an element by its id.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $id     id of the element
    * @return   object          patForms element
    */
    function &getElementById( $id )
    {
        $cnt    =   count( $this->elements );
        for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
        {
            if( $this->elements[$i]->getId() == $id ) {
                return $this->elements[$i];
            }
            if (method_exists($this->elements[$i], 'getElementById')) {
                patErrorManager::pushExpect(PATFORMS_ERROR_ELEMENT_NOT_FOUND);
                $result = &$this->elements[$i]->getElementById($id);
                patErrorManager::popExpect();
                if (!patErrorManager::isError($result)) {
                    return $result;
                }
            }
        }
        return patErrorManager::raiseError(
            PATFORMS_ERROR_ELEMENT_NOT_FOUND,
            'Element '.$name.' could not be found.'
        );
    }

   /**
    * Get all elements of the form
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   array   all elements of the form
    */
    function &getElements()
    {
        return  $this->elements;
    }

   /**
    * Creates a new form element and returns a reference to it.
    *
    * The optional $filters array has to be in the following format:
    *
    * <pre>
    * array(
    *       array(
    *              'filter' => 'Multiplier',
    *              'params' => array( 'multiplier' => 6 )
    *            )
    *      )
    * </pre>
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $name       The name of the element
    * @param    string  $type       The type of the element; for a list of possible elements, have a look at the elements/ subfolder of the patForms package.
    * @param    array   $attributes Attributes for the element
    * @param    array   $filters    Optional filters that will be applied
    * @return   object patForms_Element $element    The element object, or patError if failed.
    */
    function &createElement( $name, $type, $attributes, $filters = null, $children = null )
    {
        $element =& patForms::_createModule( 'Element', $type );
        if( patErrorManager::isError( $element ) )
        {
            return  $element;
        }

        $attributes['name'] =   $name;
        if( !isset( $attributes['id'] ) ) {
            $attributes['id'] = patForms::getElementId();
        }

        // add default attributes - do this the 'silent' way be checking whether
        // the element supports the given attribute, as the element throws a notice
        // if it does not support it - this is not expected from default attributes.
        foreach( patForms::getStaticProperty( 'defaultAttributes' ) as $attributeName => $attributeValue )
        {
            if( !$element->hasAttribute( $attributeName ) )
            {
                continue;
            }

            $element->setAttribute( $attributeName, $attributeValue );
        }

        // set the given attributes normally
        $success = $element->setAttributes( $attributes );
        if( patErrorManager::isError( $success ) )
        {
            return $success;
        }

        if (is_array($children)) {
            foreach ($children as $child) {
                $childName = $child['attributes']['name'];

                $childEl = &patForms::createElement($childName, $child['type'], $child['attributes']);
                if( isset( $child["renderer"] ) ) {
                    $childEl->setRenderer( $child["renderer"] );
                }

                $element->addElement($childEl);
            }
        }

        $success = $element->_init();
        if( patErrorManager::isError( $success ) ) {
            return $success;
        }

        // if we don't have any filters to add, we're done
        if( !is_array( $filters ) )
        {
            return $element;
        }

        $cnt    =   count( $filters );
        for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
        {
            $params =   isset( $filters[$i]['params'] ) ? $filters[$i]['params'] : null;
            $filter =   &patForms::createFilter( $filters[$i]['filter'], $params );
            if( patErrorManager::isError( $filter ) )
            {
                continue;
            }
            $element->applyFilter( $filter );
        }

        return $element;
    }

   /**
    * Convert an element to another element type
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $name   name of the element
    * @param    string  $type   desired element type
    * @return   object  the new element
    */
    function convertElement($name, $type)
    {
        $element = &$this->getElement($name);
        $element = patForms_Element::convertElement($element, $type);
    }

   /**
    * retrieves the validation errors from all elements in the form. Use this if the validateForm()
    * method returned false.
    *
    * @access   public
    * q
    * @return   array   $errors Array containing an array with validation errors for each element in the form.
    * @todo     replace __form with the name of the form, once attributes are implemented
    */
    function getValidationErrors($withElements = true)
    {
        $found  =   false;
        $errors =   array();

        if( !empty( $this->validationErrors ) )
        {
            $errors['__form']   =   $this->validationErrors;
            $found = true;
        }

        if ($withElements === false) {
            return $errors;
        }

        $cnt = count( $this->elements );
        for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; ++$i )
        {
            $name   =   $this->elements[$i]->getAttribute( 'name' );
            if( $name === false )
            {
                continue;
            }

            $elementErrors = $this->elements[$i]->getValidationErrors();

            if( empty( $elementErrors ) )
                continue;

            $errors[$name]  =   $elementErrors;
            $found = true;
        }

        if( $found )
            return $errors;

        return false;
    }

   /**
    * retrieves the values for all elements in the form.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    array       desired fields
    * @param    integer     Mode that should be used to return values in groups
    * @return   array       The values for all elements, as elementname => elementvalue.
    *
    * @todo     remove the ugly Group check and replace with something better
    * @todo     implement something similar for getValidation errors
    */
    function getValues( $fields = null, $type = PATFORMS_VALUES_NESTED )
    {
        $values =   array();

        $cnt = count( $this->elements );
        for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; ++$i )
        {
            $name   =   $this->elements[$i]->getAttribute( 'name' );
            if( $name === false ) {
                continue;
            }

            if( is_array( $fields ) && !in_array( $name, $fields ) ) {
                continue;
            }

            $tmpVal = $this->elements[$i]->getValue();
            if (!is_array($tmpVal) || $this->elements[$i]->elementName != 'Group') {
                $values[$name] = $tmpVal;
                continue;
            }

            switch ($type) {
                case PATFORMS_VALUES_FLATTENED:
                    $values = array_merge($values, $tmpVal);
                    break;
                case PATFORMS_VALUES_PREFIXED:
                    foreach ($tmpVal as $key => $val) {
                        $values[$name.'_'.$key] = $val;
                    }
                    break;
                case PATFORMS_VALUES_NESTED:
                default:
                    $values[$name] = $tmpVal;
                    break;

            }
        }
        return $values;
    }

   /**
    * sets the values for all elements in the form. Use this to fill your form with external
    * data, like a db query. Caution: if you do this and set the form to submitted, the values
    * will be overwritten by any values present in the $_GET or $_POST variables.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    array   $values The values for all elements, as elementname => elementvalue.
    */
    function setValues( $values, $overrideUserInput = false )
    {
        patErrorManager::pushExpect(PATFORMS_ERROR_ELEMENT_NOT_FOUND);
        foreach ($values as $elName => $value) {
            $el = &$this->getElementByName($elName);
            if (patErrorManager::isError($el)) {
                continue;
            }

            if (is_array($el)) {
                for ($i = 0; $i < count($el); $i++) {
                    if ($overrideUserInput === true) {
                        $el[$i]->setValue($value);
                    } else {
                        $el[$i]->setDefaultValue($value);
                    }
                }
            } else {
                if ($overrideUserInput === true) {
                    $el->setValue($value);
                } else {
                    $el->setDefaultValue($value);
                }
            }
        }
        patErrorManager::popExpect();
        return true;
    }

   /**
    * retrieves the current mode of the form
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   string  $mode   The current form mode
    * @see      setMode()
    * @see      $mode
    */
    function getMode()
    {
        return $this->mode;
    }

   /**
    * returns the locale that is currently set for the form.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   string  $locale The locale.
    * @see      setLocale()
    * @see      $locale
    */
    function getLocale()
    {
        return $this->locale;
    }

   /**
    * retrieves the current format of the form
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   string  $format The current form format
    * @see      setFormat()
    * @see      format
    */
    function getFormat()
    {
        return $this->format;
    }

   /**
    * retrieves the current method of the form
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   string  $method The request method
    * @see      setMethod()
    */
    function getMethod()
    {
        return $this->getAttribute( 'method' );
    }

   /**
    * retrieves the current action of the form
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   string  $action     Action of the form
    * @see      setAction()
    */
    function getAction()
    {
        $action = $this->getAttribute( 'action' );
        if( !empty( $action ) )
            return $action;
        return  $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'];
    }

   /**
    * adds an atribute to the form's attribute collection. If the attribute
    * already exists, it is overwritten.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $attributeName  The name of the attribute to add
    * @param    string  $atributeValue  The value of the attribute
    */
    function setAttribute( $attributeName, $attributeValue )
    {
        if( !isset( $this->attributeDefinition[$attributeName] ) )
        {
            patErrorManager::raiseNotice(
                PATFORMS_NOTICE_ATTRIBUTE_NOT_SUPPORTED,
                "The attribute '".$attributeName."' is not supported by the form, skipped it. [".get_class( $this )."]"
            );
            return true;
        }

        $this->attributes[$attributeName]   =   $attributeValue;

        return true;
    }

   /**
    * adds several attributes at once to the form's attribute collection.
    * Any existing attributes will be overwritten.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    array   $attributes The attributes to add
    * @see      setAttribute()
    */
    function setAttributes( $attributes )
    {
        if( !is_array( $attributes ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_NOTICE_ARRAY_EXPECTED,
                "setAttributes: array expected"
            );
        }

        foreach( $attributes as $attributeName => $attributeValue )
        {
            $this->setAttribute( $attributeName, $attributeValue );
        }

        return true;
    }

   /**
    * retrieves the value of a form attribute.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $attribute  The name of the attribute to retrieve
    * @return   mixed   $attributeValue The value of the attribute, or false if it does not exist in the attributes collection.
    * @see      setAttribute()
    */
    function getAttribute( $attribute )
    {
        if( !isset( $this->attributes[$attribute] ) )
        {
            return false;
        }

        return $this->attributes[$attribute];
    }

   /**
    * retrieves all attributes of the form, or only the specified attributes.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    array   $attributes Optional: The names of the attributes to retrieve. Only the attributes that exist will be returned.
    * @return   array   $result     The attributes
    * @see      getAttribute()
    */
    function getAttributes( $attributes = array() )
    {
        if( empty( $attributes ) )
        {
            return $this->attributes;
        }

        $result =   array();
        foreach( $attributes as $attribute )
        {
            if( $attributeValue = $this->getAttribute( $attribute ) )
            {
                $result[$attribute] =   $attributeValue;
            }
        }

        return $result;
    }

   /**
    * Loads the default attribute values into the attributes collection. Done directly
    * on startup (in the consructor).
    *
    * The action defaults to the path of the current script, with session
    * ID appended automatically, if SID has been defined.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   bool    $success    Always returns true.
    * @see      $attributeDefaults
    */
    function loadAttributeDefaults()
    {
        foreach( $this->attributeDefinition as $attributeName => $attributeDef )
        {
            if( isset( $attributeDef['default'] ) )
            {
                $this->attributes[$attributeName]   =   $attributeDef['default'];
            }

            if( $attributeName == 'action' )
            {
                $this->attributes[$attributeName]   =   $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'];
                /**
                 * session has been started, append session ID
                 */
                if( defined( 'SID' ) )
                    $this->attributes[$attributeName] .= '?' . SID;
            }
        }

        return true;
    }

   /**
    * retrieves the form's current submitted state.
    *
    * If autoValidate is used, it will check for the submitVar and
    * set the submitted flag accordingly
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   bool    $state  True if it has been submitted, false otherwise.
    * @see      setSubmitted(), setAutoValidate()
    * @see      submitted
    */
    function isSubmitted()
    {
        if( $this->submitted === true )
        {
            return true;
        }

        if( !isset( $this->submitVar ) )
        {
            return  false;
        }

        if( !$this->autoValidate )
        {
            return  false;
        }

        if( isset( $_GET[$this->submitVar] ) || isset( $_POST[$this->submitVar] ) )
        {
            $this->setSubmitted( true );
        }

        return $this->submitted;
    }

   /**
    * Creates a new patForms_Creator object
    *
    * @static
    * @access   public
    * @return   object  $creator    The creator object, or a patError object on failure
    */
    function createCreator( $type )
    {
        return patForms::_createModule( 'Creator', $type );
    }

   /**
    * get the element name of the form
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   string  name of the form
    */
    function getElementName()
    {
        return $this->elementName;
    }

   /**
    * get next error offset
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   integer
    */
    function getErrorOffset( $requiredCodes = 100 )
    {
        $offset                 =   $this->nextErrorOffset;
        $this->nextErrorOffset  =   $this->nextErrorOffset + $requiredCodes;
        return   $offset;
    }

   /**
    * add error codes and messages for validator method
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    array   defintions
    * @param    integer offset for the error codes
    */
    function addValidatorErrorCodes( $defs, $offset = 1000 )
    {
        foreach( $defs as $lang => $codes )
        {
            if( !isset( $this->validatorErrorCodes[$lang] ) )
            {
                $this->validatorErrorCodes[$lang]   =   array();
            }

            foreach( $codes as $code => $message )
            {
                $this->validatorErrorCodes[$lang][($offset+$code)]  =   $message;
            }
        }
    }

   /**
    * add a validation error to the whole form
    *
    * This can be achieved by adding a validation rule to the form.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    integer $code
    * @param    array   $vars   fill named placeholder with values
    * @return   boolean $result true on success
    * @see      addRule()
    */
    function addValidationError( $code, $vars = array() )
    {
        $error      =   false;
        $lang       =   $this->locale;
        $element    =   $this->getElementName();

        // find error message for selected language
        while( true )
        {
            // error message matches language code
            if( isset( $this->validatorErrorCodes[$lang][$code] ) )
            {
                $error  =   array( "element" => $element, "code" => $code, "message" => $this->validatorErrorCodes[$lang][$code] );
                break;
            }
            // no message found and no fallback-langauage available
            else if ( $lang == "C" )
            {
                break;
            }

            $lang_old   =   $lang;

            // look for other languages
            if( strlen( $lang ) > 5 )
            {
                list( $lang, $trash ) = explode( ".", $lang );
            }
            else if( strlen( $lang ) > 2 )
            {
                list( $lang, $trash ) = explode( "_", $lang );
            }
            else
            {
                $lang   =   "C";
            }

            // inform developer about missing language
            patErrorManager::raiseNotice(
                PATFORMS_NOTICE_VALIDATOR_ERROR_LOCALE_UNDEFINED,
                "Required Validation Error-Code for language: $lang_old not available. Now trying language: $lang",
                "Add language definition in used element or choose other language"
            );

        }

        // get default Error!
        if( !$error )
        {
            patErrorManager::raiseWarning(
                PATFORMS_WARNING_VALIDATOR_ERROR_UNDEFINED,
                "No Error Message for this validation Error was defined",
                "Review the error-definition for validation-errors in your element '$element'."
            );
            $error  =   array( "element" => $element, "code" => 0, "message" => "Unknown validation Error" );
        }

        // insert values to placeholders
        if( !empty( $vars ) )
        {
            foreach( $vars as $key => $value )
            {
                $error["message"]   =   str_replace( "[". strtoupper( $key ) ."]", $value, $error["message"] );
            }
        }

        array_push( $this->validationErrors, $error );
        $this->valid    =   false;
        return  true;
    }

   /**
    * Retrieves a new element id, used to give each added element a unique id for this
    * form (id can be overwritten by setting the id attribute specifically).
    *
    * @static
    * @access   public
    * @return   int $elementId  The new element id.
    */
    function getElementId()
    {
        $GLOBALS['_patForms']['elementCounter']++;
        return 'pfo'.$GLOBALS['_patForms']['elementCounter'];
    }

   /**
    * attach an observer
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    object  patForms_Observer
    * @see      createObserver()
    * @uses     patForms_Element::createObserver()
    */
    function attachObserver( &$observer, $where = PATFORMS_OBSERVER_ATTACH_TO_ELEMENTS )
    {
        /**
         * attach the observer to all elements
         */
        if( ( $where & PATFORMS_OBSERVER_ATTACH_TO_ELEMENTS ) == PATFORMS_OBSERVER_ATTACH_TO_ELEMENTS )
        {
            $cnt    =   count( $this->elements );
            for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; ++$i )
            {
                $this->elements[$i]->attachObserver( $observer );
            }
        }

        /**
         * attach the observer to the form
         */
        if( ( $where & PATFORMS_OBSERVER_ATTACH_TO_FORM ) == PATFORMS_OBSERVER_ATTACH_TO_FORM )
        {
            $this->observers[] = &$observer;
        }
        return true;
    }

   /**
    * Retrieve the content for the start of the form, including any
    * additional content, e.g. global scripts if the scripts option
    * is enabled.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   string  $formStart  The form start content
    * @todo     use format to build a dynamic method
    */
    function serializeStart()
    {
        $methodName =   "serializeStart".ucfirst( $this->getFormat() ).ucfirst( $this->getMode() );

        if( !method_exists( $this, $methodName ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_METHOD_FOR_MODE_NOT_AVAILABLE,
                "Method for patForms mode '".$this->getMode()."' (".$methodName.") is not available."
            );
        }

        return  $this->$methodName();
    }

   /**
    * Serializes the form's start element for html format, in default mode.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @return   mixed   $formStart  The serialized start content, or a patError object.
    */
    function serializeStartHtmlDefault()
    {
        $attributes = $this->getAttributesFor( $this->format );
        if( patErrorManager::isError( $attributes ) )
        {
            return $attributes;
        }

        $content = patForms::createTag( 'form', 'opening', $attributes );

        if ($this->optionEnabled( 'scripts' )) {
            $content .= $this->getScripts();
        }

        return $content;
    }

   /**
    * Serializes the form's start element for html format, in readonly mode.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @return   mixed   $formStart  The serialized start content, or a patError object.
    */
    function serializeStartHtmlReadonly()
    {
        $attributes = $this->getAttributesFor( $this->format );
        if( patErrorManager::isError( $attributes ) )
        {
            return $attributes;
        }

        return patForms::createTag( 'form', 'opening', $attributes );
    }

   /**
    * Retrieve the content for the end of the form.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   string  $formEnd    The form end content
    */
    function serializeEnd()
    {
        $methodName =   "serializeEnd".ucfirst( $this->getFormat() ).ucfirst( $this->getMode() );

        if( !method_exists( $this, $methodName ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                PATFORMS_ERROR_METHOD_FOR_MODE_NOT_AVAILABLE,
                "Method for patForms mode '".$this->getMode()."' (".$methodName.") is not available."
            );
        }

        return  $this->$methodName();
    }

   /**
    * Retrieves the content for the end of the form for html format,
    * in default mode.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @return   string  $formEnd    The form end content
    */
    function serializeEndHtmlDefault()
    {
        return  patForms::createTag( 'form', 'closing' );
    }

   /**
    * Retrieves the content for the end of the form for html format,
    * in readonly mode.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @return   string  $formEnd    The form end content
    */
    function serializeEndHtmlReadonly()
    {
        return  $this->serializeEndHtmlDefault();
    }

   /**
    * [helper method] create an element HTML source from its attribute collection and
    * returns it.
    *
    * @static
    * @access   protected
    * @param    string  $tagname        The name of the element / tag
    * @param    string  $type           Optional: the type of element to generate. Valid parameters are full|opening|closing|empty. Defaults to "full".
    * @param    mixed   $value          The value of the element
    * @return   string  $element        The HTML source of the element
    */
    function createTag( $tagname, $type = "full", $attributes = array(), $value = false )
    {
        switch( $type )
        {
            case "closing":
                return  "</$tagname>";
                break;

            case "empty":
            case "opening":
                $tag    =   "<".$tagname;

                // create attribute collection
                foreach( $attributes as $attributeName => $attributeValue )
                {
                    $tag    =   $tag . " ".$attributeName."=\"".htmlentities( (string)$attributeValue )."\"";
                }

                // empty tag?
                if( $type == "empty" )
                {
                    $tag    =   $tag . " />";
                    return  $tag;
                }

                $tag    =   $tag . ">";
                return  $tag;

                break;

            case "full":
                if( $value === false )
                {
                    return patForms::createTag( $tagname, "empty", $attributes );
                }

                return patForms::createTag( $tagname, "opening", $attributes ).htmlentities( $value ).patForms::createTag( $tagname, "closing" );
                break;
        }
    }

   /**
    * validates the current attribute collection according to the attributes definition
    * and the given output format, and returns the list of valid attributes.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @param    string  $format     The output format to retrieve the attributes for.
    * @return   mixed   $attributes The list of attributes, or false if failed.
    */
    function getAttributesFor( $format )
    {
        $attributes =   array();

        foreach( $this->attributeDefinition as $attributeName => $attributeDef )
        {
            if( !isset( $this->attributes[$attributeName] ) )
            {
                if( $attributeDef["required"] )
                {
                    return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                        PATFORMS_ERROR_ATTRIBUTE_REQUIRED,
                        'patForms needs the attribute "'.$attributeName.'" to be set.',
                        'See the patForms attribute definition of patForms for a complete attribute reference.'
                    );
                }

                continue;
            }

            $attributeValue =   $this->attributes[$attributeName];

            if( !in_array( $format, $attributeDef["outputFormats"] ) )
            {
                continue;
            }

            if( isset( $attributeDef["format"] ) )
            {
                if( !$this->_checkAttributeFormat( $attributeValue, $attributeDef["format"] ) )
                {
                    return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                        PATFORMS_ERROR_CAN_NOT_VERIFY_FORMAT,
                        "Format '".$attributeDef["format"]."' could not be verified for patForms attribute '".$attributeName."' => '".$attributeValue."'"
                    );
                }
            }

            $attributes[$attributeName] =   $attributeValue;
        }

        return $attributes;
    }

   /**
    * checks the format of an attribute value according to the given format.
    *
    * @access   private
    * @param    mixed   $attributeValue The attribute value to check
    * @param    string  $format         The format to check the attribute value against
    * @return   bool    $result         True if format check succeeded, false otherwise.
    * @see      createAttributes()
    * @todo     Implement this method sometime
    */
    function _checkAttributeFormat( $attributeValue, $format )
    {
        return true;
    }

   /**
    * Enables a patForms option.
    *
    * See the {@link $options} property for an exhaustive list of available options.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $option     The option to enable
    * @param    array   $params     Optional parameters for the option
    * @return   mixed   $result     True on success, patError object otherwise.
    * @see      disableOption()
    * @see      optionEnabled()
    * @see      $options
    */
    function enableOption( $option, $params = array() )
    {
        if( !in_array( $option, array_keys( $this->options ) ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseNotice(
                PATFORMS_NOTICE_INVALID_OPTION,
                'The option "'.$option.'" is not a valid patForms option.'
            );
        }

        $this->options[$option]['enabled'] = true;
        $this->options[$option]['params']  = array_merge($this->options[$option]['params'], $params);

        // now update all available elements too
        $cnt = count( $this->elements );
        for( $i=0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
        {
            $this->elements[$i]->enableOption( $option, $params );
        }

        return true;
    }

   /**
    * Disables a patForms option
    *
    * See the {@link $options} property for an exhaustive list of available options.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $option The option to disable
    * @return   mixed   $result True on success, patError object otherwise.
    * @see      enableOption()
    * @see      optionEnabled()
    * @see      $options
    */
    function disableOption( $option )
    {
        if( !in_array( $option, array_keys( $this->options ) ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseNotice(
                PATFORMS_NOTICE_INVALID_OPTION,
                'The option "'.$option.'" is not a valid patForms option.'
            );
        }

        $this->options[$option]['enabled']  =   false;

        // now update all available elements too
        $cnt = count( $this->elements );
        for( $i=0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
        {
            $this->elements[$i]->disableOption( $option );
        }

        return true;
    }

   /**
    * Checks whether the given option is enabled.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $option     The option to check
    * @return   bool    $enabled    True if enabled, false otherwise.
    * @see      enableOption()
    * @see      disableOption()
    * @see      getOptionParameters()
    * @see      $options
    */
    function optionEnabled( $option )
    {
        if( !isset( $this->options[$option] ) )
            return false;

        return $this->options[$option]['enabled'];
    }

   /**
    * returns the parameters that have been supplied for an option
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $option     The option to check
    * @return   array
    * @see      enableOption()
    * @see      disableOption()
    * @see      optionEnabled()
    * @see      $options
    */
    function getOptionParameters( $option )
    {
        if( !isset( $this->options[$option] ) )
            return false;

        return $this->options[$option]['params'];
    }

   /**
    * returns single parameter that has been supplied for an option
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $option     The option to check
    * @return   array
    * @see      enableOption()
    * @see      disableOption()
    * @see      optionEnabled()
    * @see      $options
    */
    function getOptionParameter($option, $parameter)
    {
        if(!isset($this->options[$option][$parameter])) {
            return false;
        }

        return $this->options[$option]['params'][$parameter];
    }

   /**
    * Set the form to auto validate
    *
    * If you use this method, patForms will check the _GET and _POST variables
    * for the variable you specified. If it is set, patForms assumes, that
    * the form has been submitted.
    *
    * When creating a start tag for the form, the value will be inserted automatically.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $submitVar
    */
    function setAutoValidate( $submitVar )
    {
        $this->autoValidate =   true;
        $this->submitVar    =   $submitVar;
    }

   /**
    * register a new event
    *
    * After registering an event, you may register one or more
    * event handlers for this event an then trigger the event.
    *
    * This lets you extend the functionality of patForms.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  event name
    * @return   boolean true, if event could be registered
    * @see      registerEventHandler()
    * @see      triggerEvent()
    */
    function registerEvent( $name )
    {
        $event  =   'on' . $name;
        if( in_array( $event, $this->_validEvents ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseNotice(
                                                PATFORMS_NOTICE_EVENT_ALREADY_REGISTERED,
                                                'Event "'.$event.'" already has been registered or is built-in event'
                                                );
        }
        array_push( $this->_validEvents, $event );
        return true;
    }

   /**
    * Register an event handler
    *
    * An event handler can be any valid PHP callback. You may pass
    * one of the following values:
    * - string functionname to call a globally declared function
    * - array( string classname, string methodname) to call a static method
    * - array( object obj, string methodname) to call a method of an object
    *
    * When the handler is called, two parameters will be passed:
    * - object form  : a patForms object
    * - string event : the name of the event has should be handled.
    *
    * An event handler should always return true. If false is returned,
    * the event will be cancelled.
    *
    * Currently handlers for the following events can be registered:
    * - onSubmit
    * - onSuccess
    * - onError
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  event name
    * @param    mixed   event handler
    * @return   boolean true, if the handler could be registered
    * @see      triggerEvent()
    * @see      $_validEvents
    */
    function registerEventHandler( $event, $handler )
    {
        if( !in_array( $event, $this->_validEvents ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                                                PATFORMS_ERROR_UNKNOWN_EVENT,
                                                'Cannot register event handler for unknown event "' . $event .'".'
                                                );
        }

        if( !is_callable( $handler ) )
        {
            return patErrorManager::raiseError(
                                                PATFORMS_ERROR_INVALID_HANDLER,
                                                'Event handler is not callable.'
                                                );
        }

        if( !isset( $this->_eventHandler[$event] ) )
        {
            $this->_eventHandler[$event]    =   array();
        }

        $this->_eventHandler[$event][]  =   &$handler;
        return true;
    }

   /**
    * set event handler object.
    *
    * An event handler object is used to handle all
    * registered events. The object has to provide methods
    * for all events it should handle, the names of the methods
    * have to be the same as the names of the events.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    object  event handler object
    * @param    array   method names, used to change the names of the methods
    * @return   boolean
    */
    function registerEventHandlerObject( &$obj, $methods = array() )
    {
        if( empty( $methods ) )
        {
            foreach( $this->_validEvents as $event )
            {
                if( !method_exists( $obj, $event ) )
                    continue;

                $methods[$event]    =   $event;
            }
        }

        foreach( $methods as $event => $method )
        {
            if( !isset( $this->_eventHandler[$event] ) )
            {
                $this->_eventHandler[$event]    =   array();
            }

            $this->_eventHandler[$event][]  =   array( &$obj, $method );
        }

        return  true;
    }

   /**
    * Trigger an event
    *
    * In most cases there's no need to call this event
    * from outside the class. The method is declared public
    * to allow you to trigger custom events.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  Event name. The event name must not contain 'on', as this will be
    *                   prefixed automatically.
    */
    function triggerEvent( $event )
    {
        $handlerName    =   'on' . $event;

        if( !isset( $this->_eventHandler[$handlerName] ) || empty( $this->_eventHandler[$handlerName] ) )
        {
            return true;
        }

        $cnt    =   count( $this->_eventHandler[$handlerName] );
        for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
        {
            $result =   call_user_func( $this->_eventHandler[$handlerName][$i], $this, $event );
            if( $result == false )
            {
                return $result;
            }
        }
        return true;
    }

   /**
    * Serializes the entire form to XML, all elements included
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string  $namespace  Optional namespace to use for the tags
    * @return   string  $xml        The XML representation of the form
    * @see      patForms_Element::toXML()
    * @todo     needs patForms_Element, maybe switch to PEAR::XML_Util
    */
    function toXML( $namespace = null )
    {
        $tagName = 'Form';

        // prepend Namespace
        if( $namespace != null )
        {
            $tagName    =   $namespace.':'.$tagName;
        }

        // get all attributes
        $attributes =   $this->getAttributes();

        // create valid XML attributes
        foreach( $attributes as $key => $value )
        {
            $attributes[$key]   =   strtr( $value, $this->xmlEntities );
        }

        $elements = '';
        for( $i = 0; $i < $this->elementCounter; $i++ )
        {
            $elements .= $this->elements[$i]->toXML( $namespace );
        }

        return  patForms::createTag( $tagName, "full", $attributes, $elements );
    }

   /**
    * Set a static property.
    *
    * Static properties are stored in an array in a global variable,
    * until PHP5 is ready to use.
    *
    * @static
    * @param    string  property name
    * @param    mixed   property value
    * @see      getStaticProperty()
    */
    function setStaticProperty( $property, &$value )
    {
        $GLOBALS["_patForms"][$property]    =   &$value;
    }

   /**
    * Get a static property.
    *
    * Static properties are stored in an array in a global variable,
    * until PHP5 is ready to use.
    *
    * @static
    * @param    string  property name
    * @return   mixed   property value
    * @see      setStaticProperty()
    */
    function &getStaticProperty( $property )
    {
        if( isset( $GLOBALS["_patForms"][$property] ) )
        {
            return  $GLOBALS["_patForms"][$property];
        }
        return  patErrorManager::raiseWarning(
            PATFORMS_ERROR_NO_STATIC_PROPERTY,
            'Static property "'.$property.'" could not be retreived, it does not exist.'
        );
    }

   /**
    * Retrieves the form's name
    *
    * If no name is set, it will use 'patForms' as name.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   string  $name   The name of the form.
    */
    function getName()
    {
        if( isset( $this->attributes['name'] ) )
            return $this->attributes['name'];
        return 'patForms';
    }

   /**
    * get the javascript for the form
    *
    * This is still in alpha state. It will later
    * allow client side validation if the element
    * provides this feature.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @return   string  javascript needed by the form
    * @todo     make this dependent on the format
    * @todo     add changeable linebreaks
    * @todo     store included javascripts in some kind of static property
    */
    function getScripts()
    {
        // let elements and rules recursively register their scripts to the form
        foreach ($this->elements as $element) {
            $element->registerJavascripts($this);
        }

        $optionParams = $this->getOptionParameters('scripts');
        $scriptFolder = $optionParams['folder'];

        if ($optionParams['jsInclude'] === true) {
            $script = "\n";
            foreach ($this->globalJavascript as $scriptFile) {
                $fullPath = $scriptFolder . '/' . $scriptFile;
                if (!file_exists($fullPath)) {
                    patErrorManager::raiseWarning(PATFORMS_WARNING_SCRIPTFILE_NOT_FOUND, 'Could not script file.', $fullPath);
                    continue;
                }
                $script .= '<script type="text/javascript" language="Javascript1.3" src="'.$fullPath.'"></script>' . "\n";
            }
            $script .= '<script type="text/javascript" language="Javascript1.3">' . "\n";
            $script .= implode ('', $this->instanceJavascript);
            $script .= '</script>';
        } else {
            $script = "\n".'<script type="text/javascript" language="Javascript1.3">' . "\n";
            foreach ($this->globalJavascript as $scriptFile) {
                $fullPath = $scriptFolder . '/' . $scriptFile;
                if (!file_exists($fullPath)) {
                    patErrorManager::raiseWarning(PATFORMS_WARNING_SCRIPTFILE_NOT_FOUND, 'Could not script file.', $fullPath);
                    continue;
                }
                $script .= file_get_contents($fullPath);
            }
            $script .= "\n\n";
            $script .= implode ('', $this->instanceJavascript);
            $script .= "\n";
            $script .= '</script>';
        }

        return $script;
    }

   /**
    * Registers a global script to the form
    *
    * This method gets called from elements and rules.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string $type   type of the element or rule
    * @param    string $script path to a scriptfile
    * @see      patForms::getScripts()
    * @see      patForms_Element::registerJavascripts()
    * @see      patForms_Rule::registerJavascripts()
    */

    function registerGlobalJavascript($type, $script)
    {
        $this->globalJavascript[$type] = $script;
    }

   /**
    * Registers an instance script to the form
    *
    * This method gets called from elements and rules.
    *
    * @access   public
    * @param    string $script a script (source, not a filename)
    * @see      patForms::getScripts()
    * @see      patForms_Element::registerJavascripts()
    * @see      patForms_Rule::registerJavascripts()
    */

    function registerInstanceJavascript($script)
    {
        $this->instanceJavascript[] = $script;
    }

   /**
    * anounce a change in the element to all observers
    *
    * @access   private
    * @param    string      property that changed
    * @param    mixed       new value of the property
    */
    function _announce( $property, $value )
    {
        $cnt = count( $this->observers );
        for( $i = 0; $i < $cnt; $i++ )
        {
            $this->observers[$i]->notify( $this, $property, $value );
        }
        return true;
    }
}
?>