.

NET Validation Controls

MacDonald Ch. 8 MIS 324 Professor Sandvig

Today
What Validation controls do Benefits & Limitations Six Validation Controls Implementation Example

What Validation Controls Do

Validate User inputs
~75% of code for handling exceptions Simplify task

Each control:
Validates user inputs on client-side using JavaScript
When possible

Validates all inputs on server Writes client-side error message if invalid

Benefits and Limitations

Benefits
Convenience
Cut & paste

Bomb-proof
Server-side validation

Limitations
Must remember to check on server
Page.IsValid statement

Different interpretations of regular expressions

JavaScript vs. server minor issue

Six Validation Controls

1. RequiredFieldValidator Only validator that checks for NO entry 2. CompareValidator Compares input to: datatype, constant, another control, database value, etc.

3. RangeValidator Entry within a specified data range

Six Validation Controls

4.

RegularExpressionValidator
Check format against a specific pattern E-mail address, phone number, zip code, etc.

5.

CustomValidator
Write own code Server- or client-side

6.

ValidationSummary
Summarizes all errors on page

Implementation
Often need > 1 validator per input
Only RequiredFieldValidator checks for empty fields

Page.IsValid
Check in event handler
if (!Page.IsValid) return;

Validation Groups
Allow validation controls to be assigned to groups Page can have several groups Act independently Only group associated with postback event must have valid entries Example: No groups, groups

Example:
Required, Compare, Range, & Custom (client- and server-side script) Validation.aspx (source)

Summary
Easy to use Flexible
Validate any type of input

Combines client- and server-side validation in one control Bomb-proof server-side validation