In some circumstances, one type of data validation can be more efficient to use than another. All validation types work on textboxes, multiple-part textboxes, and check boxes. Synchronous and asynchronous validation also work on multiple-part text boxes and check boxes while client-side validation works on the first part of multiple-part check boxes.
| Validation type | Behavior setting | Configuration options | User interaction | Best practice | Interaction with smart-fill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronous | Available if the asynchronous setting is turned off. | System Properties application or Application Designer application | Users must correct the errors in the current field before moving to next field. | Fields that affect the behavior of other fields. For example, if a particular entry in field A causes field B to become read-only, you can turn off asynchronous validation for field A. Users then cannot tab out to field B inadvertently before field A validates. | When users tab out of a field, the Select Value window opens containing filtered values. Users can specify the necessary value. |
| Asynchronous | Default behavior | System Properties application or Application Designer application | Errors and warnings are indicated at the field level. Users can resolve the errors and warnings at any time, in any order before saving. | In applications where users enter data quickly. | When users tab out of a field, the Smart Fill
icon appears in the field. Users can click the icon and the Select
Value windows opens containing filtered values. Alternatively, while in field users can press Ctrl+Enter on the keyboard to invoke the Select Value windows containing filtered values. |
| Client-side | Default behavior for data type validation | Asynchronous system setting must be turned on. Configurable for filters and set values in the Application Designer application. | Errors and warnings icons are indicated at the field level before server validation. Users can also see values in fields. If type-ahead is configured, users can see the information before server validation. | In applications where users experience network latency and for whom server round-trips for validation takes too long. | You can configure type-ahead to allow users
to see a list of available options as drop-down values for a field.
The available options in the list reduce as each successive letter
is typed. The filtered Select Value window does not appear when a choice is made using the type-ahead list. |