Different Types of Validation Controls Available in ASP.Net
Data validation is a critical stage in web application development. It ensures the integrity of the system by verifying whether the entered data is comprehensive and accurate or not.
In other words, APS.Net validation controls allow developers to validate the user input before submitting it to the server. By doing so, they can control the captured data and check whether it meets the specific requirements.
There are different validation control types, each serving a unique purpose in validating user input. They can be utilized in various scenarios, from validating strings and dates to numbers and emails.
In this blog post, we will discuss different validation control types in ASP.Net, their functionality, and how to use them efficiently in your web application. By the end of this edit, you'll be equipped with the necessary information and skills to enhance your user experience and application integrity through validation controls.
Table of Contents
- How Does ASP.Net Validation Control Work?
- Validation Control Types in ASP.Net
- RequiredFieldValidator Control
- CompareValidator Control
- RangeValidator Control
- RegularExpressionValidator Control
- CustomValidator Control
- Validation Summary Control
- Final Words
How Does ASP.Net Validation Control Work?
Powered by Microsoft, ASP.Net offers powerful and flexible control tools to validate user input in web applications. These controls provide automatic server-side and client-side mechanisms to verify whether the data is correct and meets the rules set by developers across different layers of the app.
Once the data is submitted through the web form, ASP.Net validation control checks the user's input against their validation rules. When the validation rules are not met, an error message is displayed. This occurs on the client side to reduce the round-trips to the server and improve the user's experience.
Then, the data is submitted to the server where the server-side validation occurs. At this point, the ASP.Net validation controls generate server-side code to validate user input. This is necessary as a malicious user can easily manipulate scripts and bypass the client-side control.
ASP.Net can also perform cross-page validation control, which operates when the user input is validated on one page and the results are displayed on another. Cross-page validation helps developers confirm their user input across different pages of the application.
Validation Control Types in ASP.Net
ASP.Net offers multiple validation controls, allowing developers to choose from various powerful tools designed to meet their specific validation requirements. The following are the 6 validation control types available on ASP.Net, and their generic syntax.
RequiredFieldValidator Control
The RequiredFieldValidator is a fundamental validation control in ASP.Net that allows developers to check if user input is null or empty. This control is typically used for fields that require mandatory input, such as name, email address, and phone number.
The RequiredFieldValidator is a crucial component to ensure that accurate and reliable data is captured and avoid null-reference exceptions during further data processing.
Compared to other controls, the RequiredFieldValidator is relatively simple to work with. It requires specifying the ControlToValidate property, which identifies the tool for validation.
Generic syntax:
<asp:RequiredFieldValidator ID="UniqueId" runat="server" ControlToValidate ="UniqueControlId" ErrorMessage="ErrorMessageForFailure" InitialValue= "aPlaceholderValue">
</asp:RequiredFieldValidator>CompareValidator Control
This ASP.Net validation control type helps compare the user input in separate input fields. The CampareValidator control compares data such as email addresses, passwords, or any other information that should match across multiple fields.
Moreover, it helps guarantee data integrity and ensure overall data consistency. To operate this control, one needs to specify the ControlToCompare property.
Generic syntax:
<asp:CompareValidator ID="UniqueId" runat="server" ControlToValidate="UniqueControlId" ErrorMessage="ErrorMessageForFailure" Type="string" ValueToCompare=”anyFixedValue” Operator=”Equal”>
</asp:CompareValidator> RangeValidator Control
Developers use the RangeValidator control to verify whether a value such as age validation, price range validation, or other user input is within a specified range.
Using this ASP.Net control, developers can prevent invalid data from reaching the backend, which ultimately enhances the data integrity and consistency across the web application.
The RangeValidator control requires specifying the minimum and maximum values with the MinimumValue and MaximumValue properties. Developers can also use the Type property to determine the type of data in the input field, including String, Integer, and Double.
Generic syntax:
<asp:RangeValidator ID="UniqueId" runat="server" ControlToValidate="UniqueControlId" ErrorMessage="ErrorMessageForFailure" Type="Integer" MinimumValue=”10” MaximumValue=”500”>
</asp:RangeValidator> RegularExpressionValidator Control
The ASP.Net RegularExpressionValidator control or Regex allows developers to ensure that the user input matches a specified format. This is especially crucial for scenarios with multiple user inputs such as phone numbers, email addresses, and zip codes, that can lead to errors in the next stages.
Additionally, Regex can provide users with immediate feedback when entering data, which helps improve user experience and simplify the form-filling process. The input text is matched against the pattern specified by the ValidationExpression property.
Generic syntax:
<asp:RegularExpressionValidator ID="someUniqueId" runat="server" ControlToValidate ="someUniqueControlId" ErrorMessage="ErrorToDisplayOnValidationFailure" ValidationExpression=”aRegexPattern”>
</asp:RegularExpressionValidator> CustomValidator Control
The CustomValidator control allows developers to customize the validation code to their specific user inputs. This is primarily useful when the developers need specific business logic in validation which cannot be implemented by the built-in controls.
This control can operate both client-side and server-side validation. However, the server-side approach is often preferred as it is more powerful. The CustomValidator control uses the ClientValidationFunction as well as the ServerValidate properties to identify the control for validation and specify the method used in the validation logic.
Generic syntax:
<asp:CustomValidator ID="UniqueId" runat="server" ControlToValidate="UniqueControlId" ErrorMessage="ErrorMessageForFailure"
ClientValidationFunction=" functionName">
</asp:CustomValidator> Validation Summary Control
The ValidationSummary control is an ASP.Net tool that summarizes errors generated during form submission. This can be displayed in several formats, including a bulleted list or detailed description with summary text.
This control provides developers with the ability to customize the overall design and enhance the user experience by setting properties such as HeaderText, DisplayMode, and CssClass, to name a few.
To identify and correct errors, set the ShowMessageBox property to True to display a message box of errors.
Generic syntax:
<asp:ValidationSummary ID="ValidationSummaryControl" runat="server" DisplayMode=”BulletList” ShowSummary=”true” HeaderText=" List of Errors"/> Final Words
ASP.Net validation controls are essential and flexible tools for web application developers who want to deliver a secure and reliable user experience. Using customizable properties and straightforward implementation, these controls help provide clear and concise error feedback and promote effective data management.
Boasting over 10 years of experience in the industry, One Technologies' expert team is well-versed in using various ASP.Net validation controls to ensure that your web application runs seamlessly.
Our NET development company takes great pride in its client-centric approach. We work hand-in-hand with our clients to understand their unique business requirements and deliver efficient solutions that meet and exceed their needs. Hire .NET developers, and let us build and optimize your web application with the best practices.
