Data Validation Definition

Data validation – is the process of reviewing entered data to ensure its accuracy, completeness, and reasonableness. This would thus include checking if the data adhere to some specified rules, formats, or constraints aimed at avoiding errors or inconsistencies considered as leading to bad analysis or decision-making.

These include range check, format value check, and relation checks and therefore are meant to iron out all discrepancies arising if there be detected. This is aimed at achieving better quality of data, reliability, installing confidence in the accurate use of data while making decisions based on data.

In real applications, however, they are very much diversified and include the field of managing data, databases, analyzing data, developing software, and many times carried out during preprocessing of datasets or cleaning of the data before they are put to use for reporting, modeling, or other analytical activities.

Here is a more detailed information along common use cases:

• Online forms and registration. For instance verifying email address through a code or a special link.
• Transactions. It can be controlled within limits or ensuring the card number is valid.
• eCommerce. Proving that the shipping address is correct can be a crucial part handled by data validation process, as well as checking the inventory quantities before processing orders.