Form Validation
Form validation is a process in web and software development that ensures user-submitted data meets specific criteria before being processed or stored. It involves checking input fields in forms for correctness, completeness, and security, typically on both the client-side (in the browser) and server-side (on the server). This helps prevent errors, improve user experience, and protect against malicious data like SQL injection or cross-site scripting attacks.
Developers should implement form validation whenever building applications with user input forms, such as registration pages, contact forms, or e-commerce checkouts, to ensure data integrity and security. It's crucial for preventing invalid data from corrupting databases, enhancing usability by providing immediate feedback to users, and complying with data standards in industries like finance or healthcare. Without validation, applications are vulnerable to errors and security breaches.