Microsoft InfoPath

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Microsoft InfoPath

Screenshot of Microsoft InfoPath 2007 running on Windows Vista
Developer:	Microsoft
Latest release:	12.0.4518.1014 (InfoPath 2007) / November 2006
OS:	Microsoft Windows
Use:	XML-based form developer
License:	Proprietary
Website:	Microsoft Office InfoPath Homepage

Microsoft InfoPath (full name Microsoft Office InfoPath) is an application used to develop XML-based data entry forms, first released as part of the Microsoft Office 2003 suite of programs in late 2003 and later released as part of Microsoft Office 2007. Initially given the codename XDocs, the main feature of InfoPath is its ability to author and view XML documents with support for custom-defined XML schemas. It can connect to external systems using XML Web Services through MSXML and the SOAP Toolkit, and back-end and middle-tier systems can be configured to communicate by using Web services standards such as SOAP, UDDI, and WSDL. Additionally, since InfoPath documents are raw XML, it is possible to directly repurpose the data in other XML processors.

An example of how InfoPath is used: the user fills out a form on their laptop while it is off-line using the InfoPath client. InfoPath may check some fields on the form for validity, and the user can attach a digital signature. The user later connects to the server and submits the form (in XML form), which may be routed for approval. When the user connects to the server, the form template may be automatically updated.