Option box form fields act as container objects for one or more option radio buttons or option image buttons. They provide a convenient mechanism for manipulating multiple option buttons as a group. An option box is assigned a specific data type and data length, and each option button which it owns inherits that data type and length. When a value is assigned to an option box is establishes the "On" state value for the option buttons which it owns. Those option buttons for which the value of the option box satisfies the validation rule for the option button or, if there is no validation rule, the default value for the option button, is displayed in the "On" state.
A typical way in which an option box containing option buttons is used is as follows. Each option button is assigned a default value from, for example, the list "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", "Dr." etc. When the option box is assigned the value "Ms.", the option button with the default value of "Ms." is displayed in the "On" state. All the other option buttons are displayed in the "Off" state. If the application end-user clicks on the option button with the default value of "Dr.", the option box itself also assumes the value "Dr.".
The option buttons owned by an option box inherit the colors, font, callback events and the availability attribute of the option box.