2/10/2011

Data Validation

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Data validation checks that the data is sensible before it is processed. Methods used for validation are... range check This checks that the data lies within a specified range of values. Eg the month of a person's DOB should lie between 1 and 12 presence check This checks that important data is actually there and has not been missed out. Eg Customers may be required to have their telephone numbers. type check A check that data is of the right type. Eg number, text etc length check Checks that fields have the correct number of characters. Eg A bank account number may always be 10 digits long. check digits Used for numerical data. An extra digit is added to a number which is calculated from the other digits. The computer checks this calculation when data is entered. Eg The ISBN number on a book. The last digit is a check digit. batch totals This checks for missing records. Numerical fields may be added together for all records in a batch. The batch total is entered and the computer checks that the total is correct. Eg Add the 'Total Cost' field of a number of transactions together. hash totals This is just a batch total done on a meaningless field. Eg Add the Telephone Numbers together for a number of Customers.

Pre se nce che ck s can be ca rrie d o ut by running que rie s tha t look for 'Null' fie lds.

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2/10/2011

Data Validation

Exercise : Data Validation is used to check that data is sensible before it is processed. Methods used for validation are... - used to check that important fields in records have been entered. - checks to see that data lies within a range of values. - an extra digit added onto a numerical field. It is calculated using the other digits of the number. The computer checks the calculation. - checks for missing records. Numerical fields are added together for all the records in a batch. This sum is checked by the computer. - a batch total used on a meaningless field (eg dates of birth) - checks that data is of the right type (integer, text) - checks that there is the correct number of characters in the data
(Gre e n indicate s succe ss)

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