formssuch

Formssuch is a term used in information retrieval and content management to describe a search operation that targets forms and form-related metadata within a digital repository. It is used to find form templates, user-submitted forms, and records associated with form workflows. The concept emphasizes structured querying of form objects rather than free-form document content.

Etymology and terminology: The word combines "forms" and "search" to convey its purpose. In multilingual documentation, it is sometimes described as a compact term for "form search" or "form-based querying." The term does not refer to a single standardized standard but can appear in vendor documentation, developer guides, and academic examples that illustrate form-centric retrieval.

Features and usage: Typical formssuch capabilities include filtering by form type, status, creation or submission date, and specific field values. It supports attribute-based and full-text search over form schemas and metadata, as well as relational queries linking forms to submissions, users, and workflows. Applications include auditability, template discovery, compliance checks, and form design validation.

Implementation considerations: Form objects are modeled with fields such as id, title, type, fields, submissionCount, and status. An index may cover formTitle, formType, fieldNames, and submission metadata to accelerate queries. Security controls are important to restrict access to sensitive form data; performance tuning may involve denormalized views or federated search across repositories.

See also: information retrieval, content management systems, form templates, data governance.