# Philosophy, Beliefs, Assumptions
-Afform is generally grounded in a few beliefs..
+Afform is generally grounded in a few beliefs.
## Leap by extension
Afform represents a major conceptual change in how core forms are developed. It is incubated as an extension that can
-be enabled or disabled to taste. The aim is for oother extension using `afform` can incrementally override/replace
-particular forms in core.
+be enabled or disabled to taste. The aim is to write further extensions which (a) build on afform APIs in order to (b) incrementally override/replace particular forms in core.
## Features and user-experiences evolve in funny workflows
If we could sit down and define one true, correct version of a "Donation" form, then our lives as Civi devlopers would
-be easy: draw a mockup, write code, ship, and retire. But we can't -- because Civi users and integrators engage with
+be easy: draw a mockup, write code, ship, and retire. But we can't -- because Civi users / integrators / developers engage with
the system creatively. They aim to optimize conversion-rates, to integrate with donor journerys, to question how each
detail makes sense in their situation, etc. That means switching between open-ended donation amounts, sliders, radios,
etc; revising the language and layout; maybe adding an informational question or newsletter opt-in.
must still communicate and exercise judgment about the best way to approach each problem. But there are legitimate
instances for each workflow; given that each will be sought, we want them to be safe and somewhat consistent.
+The aims are *not* achieved by developing every feature in-house. Rather, this is conceived as an effort to use
+existing tools/frameworks while relaxing workflows.
+
What distinguishes `afform` from the original form architecture (Civi's combination of HTML_Quickform, Smarty and
Profiles)? Each of those workflows has been given some consideration upfront with the aim of providing a *consistent,
unified model* -- so that the same data-structure can be pushed through any of those common workflows.