Field validation in script library vs. input validation event of field

Field validation in script library vs. input validation event of field

This may be more of a preference or a philosophical issue than a question, but I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of doing all field validation in a script library called during a QuerySave event vs. in the input validation event of a field.

Both methods have several advantages and disadvantages -- i.e., script validation in QuerySave/Script Library, "centralized validation code" in script library, flexibility and complexity of Lotus Script validation, ability to turn off all validation during testing/coding by remarking a single line, traditional validation formula, simplicity of formula language, native support of validation by the Notes UI, evaluates during refresh as well as save, ease of troubleshooting code....

So, you can see how I am going back and forth. Do you have any insight?

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I prefer to use the querysave single module validation approach for the user experience. If you have 25 fields to validate and the user has 25 invalid entries, they will need to attempt to save the document 26 times before it is correct. I wouldn't complete the form after my third try.

A single validation event allows you to present the user with all of the validation errors at one time. In a number of applications, we have set indicators near fields with invalid values with details on why the validation error occurred, as well as a consolidated list of all validation errors on the form.

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This was first published in November 2004

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