2. Validation

Validation is one way of trying to reduce the number of errors in the data being entered into your system.

The validation is performed by the computer at the point when you enter data.  It is the process of checking the data against the set of validation rules which you set up when developing your new database or spreadsheet system.

It is critical that you understand what this definition means and can repeat it when asked in an examination question. 

Students regularly say in exam answers that ‘validation checks that the data is correct’. 

It does NOT!! 

If you enter ‘Smithe’ instead of ‘Smith’ or ‘07/08/07’ instead of ‘08/07/07’ no amount of validation in the world will pick up that human error.

So while validation can help to reduce the number of errors when entering data, it cannot stop them – be very clear about that.