com.smartgwt.client.widgets.form.validator

## Class Validator

- java.lang.Object
- - com.smartgwt.client.core.JsObject
  - - com.smartgwt.client.core.DataClass
    - - com.smartgwt.client.widgets.form.validator.Validator

- All Implemented Interfaces:
    com.google.gwt.event.shared.HasHandlers
  Direct Known Subclasses:
    ContainsValidator, CustomValidator, DateRangeValidator, DoesntContainValidator, EqualsValidator, FloatPrecisionValidator, FloatRangeValidator, InSetValidator, IntegerRangeValidator, IsBooleanValidator, IsFloatValidator, IsIntegerValidator, IsOneOfValidator, IsStringValidator, LengthRangeValidator, MaskValidator, MatchesFieldValidator, NotEqualValidator, NotInSetValidator, RegExpValidator, RequiredIfValidator, StringCountValidator

      public class Validator
      extends DataClass

  A validator describes a check that should be performed on a value the user is trying to save.

  Validators are specified for DataSource fields via the `DataSourceField.validators` property and `are executed in the order in which they are defined`. Validators that need not be run on the server can also be specified for a specific `FormItem` or `ListGridField`.

  Smart GWT supports a powerful library of `ValidatorTypes` which have identical behavior on both the client and the server.

  Beyond this, custom validators can be defined on the client and custom validation logic added on the server. Note that the `regexp` and `mask` validator types are very flexible and can be used to perform virtually any kind of formatting check that doesn't involve some large external dataset.

  Custom validators can be reused on the client by adding them to the global validator list, via the `addValidator()` method.

  See Also:
    `ValidatorType`

- - ### Field Summary

    - ### Fields inherited from class com.smartgwt.client.core.DataClass

      `factoryCreated, factoryProperties`

    - ### Fields inherited from class com.smartgwt.client.core.JsObject

      `jsObj`

  - ### Constructor Summary

    Constructors
    Constructor and Description
    `Validator()`
    `Validator(com.google.gwt.core.client.JavaScriptObject jsObj)`

  - ### Method Summary

    All Methods Static Methods Instance Methods Concrete Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `static void` | `addValidatorDefinition(java.lang.String name, Validator validator)` Register a new standard validator type for reuse, by name.
    `static void` | `create()` A Validator shouldn't be created directly.
    `AdvancedCriteria` | `getApplyWhen()` Used to create a conditional validator based on `criteria`.
    `java.lang.Boolean` | `getClientOnly()` Indicates this validator runs on the client only.
    `java.lang.String` | `getCondition()` For a validator that is not a built-in `ValidatorType`, a `Callback`, function, or JavaScript expression to evaluate to see if this validator passes or fails.
    `java.lang.String[]` | `getDependentFields()` User-defined list of fields on which this validator depends.
    `static Validator` | `getOrCreateRef(com.google.gwt.core.client.JavaScriptObject jsObj)`
    `java.lang.Boolean` | `getStopIfFalse()` Normally, all validators defined for a field will be run `in the order in which they are defined` even if one of the validators has already failed.
    `java.lang.Boolean` | `getStopOnError()` Indicates that if this validator is not passed, the user should not be allowed to exit the field - focus will be forced back into the field until the error is corrected.
    `ValidatorType` | `getType()` Type of the validator.
    `java.lang.String` | `getTypeAsString()` Type of the validator.
    `java.lang.Boolean` | `getValidateOnChange()` If true, validator will be validated when each item's "change" handler is fired as well as when the entire form is submitted or validated.
    `Validator` | `setApplyWhen(AdvancedCriteria applyWhen)` Used to create a conditional validator based on `criteria`.
    `Validator` | `setClientOnly(java.lang.Boolean clientOnly)` Indicates this validator runs on the client only.
    `Validator` | `setCondition(java.lang.String condition)` For a validator that is not a built-in `ValidatorType`, a `Callback`, function, or JavaScript expression to evaluate to see if this validator passes or fails.
    `Validator` | `setDependentFields(java.lang.String[] dependentFields)` User-defined list of fields on which this validator depends.
    `Validator` | `setErrorMessage(java.lang.String errorMessage)` Text to display if the value does not pass this validation check.
    `Validator` | `setStopIfFalse(java.lang.Boolean stopIfFalse)` Normally, all validators defined for a field will be run `in the order in which they are defined` even if one of the validators has already failed.
    `Validator` | `setStopOnError(java.lang.Boolean stopOnError)` Indicates that if this validator is not passed, the user should not be allowed to exit the field - focus will be forced back into the field until the error is corrected.
    `Validator` | `setType(java.lang.String type)` Type of the validator.
    `Validator` | `setType(ValidatorType type)` Type of the validator.
    `Validator` | `setValidateOnChange(java.lang.Boolean validateOnChange)` If true, validator will be validated when each item's "change" handler is fired as well as when the entire form is submitted or validated.

    - ### Methods inherited from class com.smartgwt.client.core.DataClass

      `applyFactoryProperties, doAddHandler, fireEvent, getAttribute, getAttributeAsBoolean, getAttributeAsBoolean, getAttributeAsDate, getAttributeAsDouble, getAttributeAsDoubleArray, getAttributeAsFloat, getAttributeAsInt, getAttributeAsIntArray, getAttributeAsJavaScriptObject, getAttributeAsLong, getAttributeAsMap, getAttributeAsObject, getAttributeAsRecord, getAttributeAsString, getAttributeAsStringArray, getAttributes, getHandlerCount, isFactoryCreated, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttribute, setAttributeAsJavaObject, setFactoryCreated`

    - ### Methods inherited from class com.smartgwt.client.core.JsObject

      `equals, getJsObj, hashCode, isCreated, setJavaScriptObject, setJsObj`

    - ### Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

      `clone, finalize, getClass, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

- - ### Constructor Detail

    - #### Validator

          public Validator()

    - #### Validator

          public Validator(com.google.gwt.core.client.JavaScriptObject jsObj)

  - ### Method Detail

    - #### getOrCreateRef

          public static Validator getOrCreateRef(com.google.gwt.core.client.JavaScriptObject jsObj)

    - #### setApplyWhen

          public Validator setApplyWhen(AdvancedCriteria applyWhen)

      Used to create a conditional validator based on `criteria`. The criteria defines when the validator applies. The form current values or ListGrid record is used as reference for the criteria. If the criteria match, then the validator will be processed. Otherwise the validator is skipped and assumed valid.

      To use an `applyWhen` criteria the form or grid must use a `DataSource`.

      NOTE: `applyWhen` is not supported for "binary" fields.

      ### Server and client use

      Conditional validators are enforced both on the server and on the client-side when defined on a DataSource field as shown in the examples below. Note the `applyWhen` element is treated as a `Criterion`.

            <!-- Normal format -->
            <field name="age" type="integer">
              <validators>
                <validator type="integerRange" min="0" max="100">
                  <applyWhen operator="or">
                    <criteria>
                      <criterion fieldName="restrictAge" operator="equals" value="true"/>
                      <criterion fieldName="gender" operator="equals" value="female"/>
                    </criteria>
                  </applyWhen>
                </validator>
              </validators>
            </field>

            <!-- Conditional requirement -->
            <field name="reason" type="text">
              <validators>
                <validator type="required">
                  <applyWhen fieldName="willAttend" operator="equals" value="false"/>
                </validator>
              </validators>
            </field>

      The last example above shows an alternate to the `requiredIf` validator using a `shorthand format` which is only available for client-side use. On the client the `reason` field will change appearance to match other required or non-required fields when `willAttend` changes. Note that using `applyWhen` for a validator of type `required` as in the example may result in validation request being set to the server where a fetch is made against the DataSource. For more details, see the discussion at the end of the `DataSourceField.required` help topic.

      ### Component XML and client-only use

      Conditional validators can also be applied to `Component XML` similarly to provide client-only validations or read-only state management. A common use case is conditionally displaying or enabling fields. Use the `readOnly` validator with an `applyWhen` value to control the read-only appearance of a field. The example below shows a field which is hidden when `willAttend=true`.

            <!-- field definition within a Component XML DynamicForm -->
            <field name="reason" type="text">
              <validators>
                <validator type="readOnly" fieldAppearance="hidden">
                  <applyWhen fieldName="willAttend" operator="equals" value="true"/>
                </validator>
              </validators>
            </field>

      Conditional validators can be applied to DynamicForm or ListGrid fields in Java code as well.

      Note : This is an advanced setting

      Parameters:
        `applyWhen` - New applyWhen value. Default value is null
      Returns:
        `Validator` instance, for chaining setter calls

    - #### getApplyWhen

          public AdvancedCriteria getApplyWhen()

      Used to create a conditional validator based on `criteria`. The criteria defines when the validator applies. The form current values or ListGrid record is used as reference for the criteria. If the criteria match, then the validator will be processed. Otherwise the validator is skipped and assumed valid.

      To use an `applyWhen` criteria the form or grid must use a `DataSource`.

      NOTE: `applyWhen` is not supported for "binary" fields.

      ### Server and client use

      Conditional validators are enforced both on the server and on the client-side when defined on a DataSource field as shown in the examples below. Note the `applyWhen` element is treated as a `Criterion`.

            <!-- Normal format -->
            <field name="age" type="integer">
              <validators>
                <validator type="integerRange" min="0" max="100">
                  <applyWhen operator="or">
                    <criteria>
                      <criterion fieldName="restrictAge" operator="equals" value="true"/>
                      <criterion fieldName="gender" operator="equals" value="female"/>
                    </criteria>
                  </applyWhen>
                </validator>
              </validators>
            </field>

            <!-- Conditional requirement -->
            <field name="reason" type="text">
              <validators>
                <validator type="required">
                  <applyWhen fieldName="willAttend" operator="equals" value="false"/>
                </validator>
              </validators>
            </field>

      The last example above shows an alternate to the `requiredIf` validator using a `shorthand format` which is only available for client-side use. On the client the `reason` field will change appearance to match other required or non-required fields when `willAttend` changes. Note that using `applyWhen` for a validator of type `required` as in the example may result in validation request being set to the server where a fetch is made against the DataSource. For more details, see the discussion at the end of the `DataSourceField.required` help topic.

      ### Component XML and client-only use

      Conditional validators can also be applied to `Component XML` similarly to provide client-only validations or read-only state management. A common use case is conditionally displaying or enabling fields. Use the `readOnly` validator with an `applyWhen` value to control the read-only appearance of a field. The example below shows a field which is hidden when `willAttend=true`.

            <!-- field definition within a Component XML DynamicForm -->
            <field name="reason" type="text">
              <validators>
                <validator type="readOnly" fieldAppearance="hidden">
                  <applyWhen fieldName="willAttend" operator="equals" value="true"/>
                </validator>
              </validators>
            </field>

      Conditional validators can be applied to DynamicForm or ListGrid fields in Java code as well.

      Returns:
        Current applyWhen value. Default value is null

    - #### setClientOnly

          public Validator setClientOnly(java.lang.Boolean clientOnly)

      Indicates this validator runs on the client only.

      Normally, if the server is trying to run validators and finds a validator that it can't execute, for safety reasons validation is considered to have failed. Use this flag to explicitly mark a validator that only needs to run on the client.

      Parameters:
        `clientOnly` - New clientOnly value. Default value is false
      Returns:
        `Validator` instance, for chaining setter calls

    - #### getClientOnly

          public java.lang.Boolean getClientOnly()

      Indicates this validator runs on the client only.

      Normally, if the server is trying to run validators and finds a validator that it can't execute, for safety reasons validation is considered to have failed. Use this flag to explicitly mark a validator that only needs to run on the client.

      Returns:
        Current clientOnly value. Default value is false

    - #### setCondition

          public Validator setCondition(java.lang.String condition)

      For a validator that is not a built-in `ValidatorType`, a `Callback`, function, or JavaScript expression to evaluate to see if this validator passes or fails.

      Because the validator declaration itself is passed as a parameter to `condition()`, you can effectively parameterize the validator. For example, to create a validator that checks that the value is after a certain date:

                { type:"custom", afterDate:new Date(),
                  condition:"value.getTime() > validator.afterDate.getTime()" }

      Reusable validators, like the above, can be registered as a standard validatorType by calling `addValidator()`.

      Note that, if a field is declared with a builtin `FieldType`, the value passed in will already have been converted to the specified type, if possible.

      For the required parameters, see the documentation for ValidatorConditionCallback.

      Parameters:
        `condition` - New condition value. Default value is null
      Returns:
        `Validator` instance, for chaining setter calls
      See Also:
        `StringMethod`

    - #### getCondition

          public java.lang.String getCondition()

      For a validator that is not a built-in `ValidatorType`, a `Callback`, function, or JavaScript expression to evaluate to see if this validator passes or fails.

      Because the validator declaration itself is passed as a parameter to `condition()`, you can effectively parameterize the validator. For example, to create a validator that checks that the value is after a certain date:

                { type:"custom", afterDate:new Date(),
                  condition:"value.getTime() > validator.afterDate.getTime()" }

      Reusable validators, like the above, can be registered as a standard validatorType by calling `addValidator()`.

      Note that, if a field is declared with a builtin `FieldType`, the value passed in will already have been converted to the specified type, if possible.

      For the required parameters, see the documentation for ValidatorConditionCallback.

      Returns:
        Current condition value. Default value is null
      See Also:
        `StringMethod`

    - #### setDependentFields

          public Validator setDependentFields(java.lang.String[] dependentFields)

      User-defined list of fields on which this validator depends. Primarily used for validators of type "custom" but can also be used to supplement `applyWhen` criteria.

      Note that for validators run on the server, fields required due to `dependentFields` but not present in the `DSRequest.data` of an update because they haven't changed will be filled in from the server DataSource.

      Note : This is an advanced setting

      Parameters:
        `dependentFields` - New dependentFields value. Default value is null
      Returns:
        `Validator` instance, for chaining setter calls
      See Also:
        `setApplyWhen(com.smartgwt.client.data.AdvancedCriteria)`

    - #### getDependentFields

          public java.lang.String[] getDependentFields()

      User-defined list of fields on which this validator depends. Primarily used for validators of type "custom" but can also be used to supplement `applyWhen` criteria.

      Note that for validators run on the server, fields required due to `dependentFields` but not present in the `DSRequest.data` of an update because they haven't changed will be filled in from the server DataSource.

      Returns:
        Current dependentFields value. Default value is null
      See Also:
        `getApplyWhen()`

    - #### setErrorMessage

          public Validator setErrorMessage(java.lang.String errorMessage)

      Text to display if the value does not pass this validation check.

      If unspecified, default error messages exist for all built-in validators, and a generic message will be used for a custom validator that is not passed.

      Server-side this string evaluates in a Velocity context where the variables $value and $fieldName are available and refer to the supplied value and the field name, respectively. Note that if the validator is intended to run both on the client and server, you shouldn't use these velocity vars as they will not be expanded on the client and the user may then see raw uninterpolated strings.

      Parameters:
        `errorMessage` - New errorMessage value. Default value is null
      Returns:
        `Validator` instance, for chaining setter calls
      See Also:
        Conditionally Required Example

    - #### setStopIfFalse

          public Validator setStopIfFalse(java.lang.Boolean stopIfFalse)

      Normally, all validators defined for a field will be run `in the order in which they are defined` even if one of the validators has already failed. However, if `stopIfFalse` is set, validation will not proceed beyond this validator if the check fails.

      This is useful to prevent expensive validators from being run unnecessarily, or to allow custom validators that don't need to be robust about handling every conceivable type of value.

      Parameters:
        `stopIfFalse` - New stopIfFalse value. Default value is false
      Returns:
        `Validator` instance, for chaining setter calls

    - #### getStopIfFalse

          public java.lang.Boolean getStopIfFalse()

      Normally, all validators defined for a field will be run `in the order in which they are defined` even if one of the validators has already failed. However, if `stopIfFalse` is set, validation will not proceed beyond this validator if the check fails.

      This is useful to prevent expensive validators from being run unnecessarily, or to allow custom validators that don't need to be robust about handling every conceivable type of value.

      Returns:
        Current stopIfFalse value. Default value is false

    - #### setStopOnError

          public Validator setStopOnError(java.lang.Boolean stopOnError)

      Indicates that if this validator is not passed, the user should not be allowed to exit the field - focus will be forced back into the field until the error is corrected.

      This property defaults to `FormItem.stopOnError` if unset.

      Enabling this property also implies `FormItem.validateOnExit` is automatically enabled. If this is a server-based validator, setting this property also implies that `FormItem.synchronousValidation` is forced on.

      Parameters:
        `stopOnError` - New stopOnError value. Default value is null
      Returns:
        `Validator` instance, for chaining setter calls

    - #### getStopOnError

          public java.lang.Boolean getStopOnError()

      Indicates that if this validator is not passed, the user should not be allowed to exit the field - focus will be forced back into the field until the error is corrected.

      This property defaults to `FormItem.stopOnError` if unset.

      Enabling this property also implies `FormItem.validateOnExit` is automatically enabled. If this is a server-based validator, setting this property also implies that `FormItem.synchronousValidation` is forced on.

      Returns:
        Current stopOnError value. Default value is null

    - #### setType

          public Validator setType(ValidatorType type)

      Type of the validator.

      This can be one of the built-in `ValidatorType`, the string "custom" to define a custom validator, or the string "serverCustom" to define a server-only custom validator.

      Parameters:
        `type` - New type value. Default value is null
      Returns:
        `Validator` instance, for chaining setter calls

    - #### getType

          public ValidatorType getType()

      Type of the validator.

      This can be one of the built-in `ValidatorType`, the string "custom" to define a custom validator, or the string "serverCustom" to define a server-only custom validator.

      Returns:
        Current type value. Default value is null

    - #### setType

          public Validator setType(java.lang.String type)

      Type of the validator.

      This can be one of the built-in `ValidatorType`, the string "custom" to define a custom validator, or the string "serverCustom" to define a server-only custom validator.

      Parameters:
        `type` - New type value. Default value is null
      Returns:
        `Validator` instance, for chaining setter calls

    - #### getTypeAsString

          public java.lang.String getTypeAsString()

      Type of the validator.

      This can be one of the built-in `ValidatorType`, the string "custom" to define a custom validator, or the string "serverCustom" to define a server-only custom validator.

      Returns:
        Current type value. Default value is null

    - #### setValidateOnChange

          public Validator setValidateOnChange(java.lang.Boolean validateOnChange)

      If true, validator will be validated when each item's "change" handler is fired as well as when the entire form is submitted or validated. If false, this validator will not fire on the item's "change" handler.

      Note that this property can also be set at the form/grid or field level; If true at any level and not explicitly false on the validator, the validator will be fired on change - displaying errors and rejecting the change on validation failure.

      Parameters:
        `validateOnChange` - New validateOnChange value. Default value is null
      Returns:
        `Validator` instance, for chaining setter calls

    - #### getValidateOnChange

          public java.lang.Boolean getValidateOnChange()

      If true, validator will be validated when each item's "change" handler is fired as well as when the entire form is submitted or validated. If false, this validator will not fire on the item's "change" handler.

      Note that this property can also be set at the form/grid or field level; If true at any level and not explicitly false on the validator, the validator will be fired on change - displaying errors and rejecting the change on validation failure.

      Returns:
        Current validateOnChange value. Default value is null

    - #### create

          public static void create()

      A Validator shouldn't be created directly. Instead pass Properties as each Validator in `FormItem.validators` or wherever a Validator is needed.

    - #### addValidatorDefinition

          public static void addValidatorDefinition(java.lang.String name,
                                                    Validator validator)

      Register a new standard validator type for reuse, by name. The validator passed in should be of type `ValidatorType.CUSTOM`.

      Any new validator where `setType(String)` is set to the registered name will pick up all properties (error message, condition, etc) from this validator definition.

      Parameters:
        `name` - name under which validator properties will be available
        `validator` - validator containing standard properties for reuse