Method and system for validating data submitted to a database application

Abstract

A system and method for validating data entry in which an exception set class is defined and where, during a validation process, each data entry field is reviewed to determined whether or not certain predetermined validation criteria are met. Where data entry does not meet validation criteria, an exception is added to the exception set class to identify the data entry field that contains data that does not meet the validation criteria. After all data entry fields have been reviewed, the exception set is thrown if it contains any exceptions. Based upon this exception set, the data entry fields will be re-presented (submitted) to the user for correction/revision of the data to meet the validation criteria.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method of validating data submitted to a database application comprising the steps of: 
 receiving data input in response to a query presented to a user;    comparing said data with a predetermined validation criteria; and    adding a criteria exception rule to an exception set class where said data fails to meet said predetermined validation criteria, said exception identifies a data field of said data input which does not meet said validation criteria.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the steps of comparing said data to a validation rule and adding an exception rule to said exception set class.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of presenting said exception set class to a user for review.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of accepting a corrected data input from said user, comparing said corrected data input with said predetermined validation criteria, comparing said corrected data input with said validation rule, adding said criteria exception when said corrected data input fails to compare with said predetermined validation criteria, and adding said rule exception when said corrected data input fails to compare with said validation rule.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said data input is received from a client-side application.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said exception set class comprises a data object.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said data object comprises an exception set.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said exception set comprises a plurality of exceptions.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said data input comprises a data field.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said data field is associated with a throwable object where said data field cannot be validated.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said throwable object comprises an exception.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said data input comprises a plurality of data fields.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said exception set specifics a plurality of data fields which cannot be validated.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of causing a question to be re-presented to a user in accordance with said exception set.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said exception set is output to said client-side application when all of said data input has been reviewed.  
     
     
         16 . A system for validating data input comprising: 
 a database server comprising a database residing in a memory, said database for storing a plurality of input data;    an interface for receiving input data representing a user response to a presented question; and    a controller for causing said input data to be validated in accordance with a predetermined validation routine, and adding an exception to an exception set class each time said data input fails to meet predetermined criteria for validation.    
     
     
         17 . A system for validating data input according to  claim 16 , wherein said controller further causes said exception set to be output to a client-side application.  
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein said client-side application is run on a client-side terminal.  
     
     
         19 . A system for validating data input according to  claim 16 , wherein said interface comprises a network interface.  
     
     
         20 . A system for validating data input according to  claim 16 , wherein said network interface comprises a wireless network interface.  
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein said network comprises a local area network.  
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein said network comprises the Internet.  
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 18 , wherein said client-side terminal comprises a wireless access protocol (WAP) compliant device.  
     
     
         24 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein said client-side terminal comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).  
     
     
         25 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein said client-side terminal comprises a display device; and 
 controller for re-presenting a data entry form to said user via said display device in accordance with an exception set record generated by a database server.    
     
     
         26 . A system for validating data input comprising: 
 a storage memory for storing a plurality of instructions and a plurality of input data;    a controller for operating on said plurality of input data in accordance with said at least one instruction stored on said storage memory;    wherein said plurality of instructions further includes; 
 at least one receiving instruction stored on said storage memory for receiving said plurality of input data submitted in response to a query presented to a user;  
 at least one validating instruction stored on said storage memory for validating said input data; and  
 at least one exception instruction stored on said storage memory for adding an exception to an exception set class where one of said input data is invalid, said exception identifies a data field of said one input data which is invalid.  
   
     
     
         27 . A system for validating data input, comprising: 
 client-side terminal for presenting a data entry form to a user; and    database server for receiving a data entry record from said client-side terminal and incorporating it into database where certain pre-determined validation criteria are met.