The framework provides an extensive but easy-to-use system for vetting data submitted by a form.

Presentation - Validating Input

Do we need to validate input? Can a validation framework help? Does validation affect workflow? Can we code custom Validators?

The validator framework provides a uniform approach to server-side and client-side validation.

• Manual Validation
• Validation Framework
• Validation Workflow
• Coding Validators

Workshop - Register extensions

Story: Values submitted by the Register form must be the correct type, and some values are required.

• Utilize the validation framework to confirm input without changing the server page

Prerequisites

• Field Validator - type, message
  • requiredstring, email, string-length, expression

Exercises

• Create a validation configuration file ("Register-validation.xml) to realize the extensions to the Register Use Case
  • Username and Password are required
  • Password length must be at least 4 characters and no more than 10
  • Full Name is required
  • From Address and Reply To Addresses must be email addresses

Hint code

<!DOCTYPE validators PUBLIC "-//OpenSymphony Group//XWork Validator 1.0.2//EN" 
  "http://www.opensymphony.com/xwork/xwork-validator-1.0.2.dtd">

<validators>

</validators>

Accomplishments

• Utilized the validation framework to validate input without changing the server page

Extra Credit

• Add an "expression" validator to ensure the password and confirmation password match.
• In the Register.jsp form tag, add the attribute "validate=true". See any difference? Check the HTML source!
• Add a cancel button to the form. Try going directly to Welcome, or adding a cancel method that does the same.