A response document relies on the existence of a "parent" document. In a view, a response document typically appears indented under its parent. Response documents are useful, for example, to generate discussion threads.
Your XPages application uses the Domino® data store. The way to get at the Domino data store without programming is through forms.
A Domino® Designer application contains documents that contain items of data. A form and its fields are design elements that define documents.
A beginner's guide to controlling edit access to sections of a form.