User Guide

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Validation differences The preceding table describes the general validation behavior. The
underlying validation code must differ depending on the validation method and the form type.
As a result, the algorithms used vary in some instances, including the following:
• The validation algorithms used for date/time values varies between onSubmit/OnBlur and
OnServer.
• The algorithms used for onSubmit/OnBlur validation in Flash vary from those used for
HTML/XML format, and generally follow simpler rules.
The table describes the onSubmit/OnBlur behavior in HTML format. For detailed information
on the OnServer validation algorithms, see “Data validation types” in Chapter 28, “Data
validation types,” in ColdFusion MX Developer’s Guide.
For more information on validation, including discussions of the advantages and disadvantages of
different validation types, see Chapter 28, “Validating Data” in ColdFusion MX Developer’s Guide.
Masking input data
The mask attribute controls the format of data that can be entered into a field. You can combine
masking and validation on a field.
• In HTML and Flash form format the mask can control the format of data entered into a text
field.
• In Flash format, the mask can also control the format of the date chosen using the datefield
input control.
In text fields, ColdFusion automatically inserts any literal mask characters, such as - characters in
telephone numbers. Users type only the variable part of the field.
email A valid e-mail address of the form [e-mail]. ColdFusion
validates the format only; it does not check that entry is a valid active e-mail
address.
URL A valid URL pattern; supports http, https, ftp file, mailto, and news URLs.
guid A unique identifier that follows the Microsoft/DCE format, xxxxxxxx-xxxx-
xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx, where x is a hexadecimal number.
uuid A universally unique identifier (UUID) that follows the ColdFusion format,
xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, where x is a hexadecimal number.
maxlength Limits the input to a maximum number of characters.
noblanks Does not allow fields that consist only of blanks.
regex or
regular_expression
Matches input against the
pattern attribute. Valid in HTML and XML
format only; ignored in Flash format.
SubmitOnce Used only with submit and image types; prevents the user from submitting
the same form multiple times before until the next page loads (for example,
submitting an order a second time before getting the first order
confirmation). Valid in HTML and XML format only; ignored in Flash
format.
Type Description