11. Verification

It was mentioned that validation cannot make sure that data you enter is correct, it can only check that it is sensible, reasonable and allowable. However, it is important that the data in your database is as accurate as possible. Have you ever heard of the term 'Garbage in, garbage out' or 'GIGO'? This means that if you enter data that is full of mistakes (garbage in) then when you want to search for a record you will get data with mistakes presented to you (garbage out).

This is where Verification can help to make sure that the data in your database contains as few mistakes as possible.

Verification means to check the data that you have entered against the original source data.

Think about when you choose a new password, you have to type it in twice. This lets the computer check if you have typed it exactly the same both times and not made a mistake.

Challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you

Click on this link: Data Verification

The data in your database can be verified or checked twice. database table

Somebody else can check the data on the screen for you against the original paper documents

You could print out your table and check it against the original paper documents

You could type in the data twice (like you do with your password), and get the computer to check that both sets of data are identical.

Other methods of verification include control, batch or hash totals. To find out more about these, visit the mini-website on Validation and Verification.