Creating an element validation rule

Procedure

  1. Click Rules > External Validation > Element Validations.

    The Element Validation page opens.

  2. Click Add.

    The Add Element Validation page opens.

  3. Select the business object that contains the element you want this validation rule to apply to from the Group list.
  4. Select the element that you want this validation rule to apply to from the Element list.
    Note: The elements that are populated in this list belong to the group that you selected in step 3.
  5. Select the validation function that you want to use to power this rule from the Function list.
    Note: While you can create your own functions to use with external validation,InfoSphere® MDM provides you with prebuilt functions that encompass common validation tasks, such as checking for minimum and maximum field lengths. For a list of the prebuilt functions that come with InfoSphere MDM, see External validation functions. For more information, see the developer topics about creating your own validation functions.
  6. Select the transaction type that this validation rule applies to from the Applies To list.

    InfoSphere MDM comes with four generic predefined transaction types: Create, Delete, General, and Update. For information on how to edit these transaction types or how to create your own transaction types for defining validation rules, see the developer topics.

  7. Select a conditional evaluation from the Rule Set Name list to make this validation rule conditional if you wish.

    When validation rules are conditional, they execute only if certain user-defined criteria are met. For example, a validation rule may only be applicable if Line of Business is equal to Property and Casualty. In this case, the conditional evaluation would check that the "LoB=P&C" condition is true, and, if it is, would then trigger the external validation rule. For more information on conditional external validation and on how to create conditional evaluations, see the developer topics for information on External Validations.

  8. Select an error message ID from the Error Message list to associate an error message with this validation rule.

    If the rule does not validate, the user will receive the error message specified here. Once you select an error message ID, you can view the message's text by clicking Show Message.

  9. Click Add Parameter to add a validation parameter to the rule.
    Note: Validation functions often require you to define specific parameters that data being validated must meet. For example, if you are using the Maximum Length function in a validation rule, you must specify a maximum field length parameter (for example, 30).
  10. Specify the name of the type of data that is used for this parameter under Parameter Type.
  11. Specify the value for the parameter under Parameter Value.
  12. Specify a concise, meaningful comment that accurately describes the parameter under Description.
  13. Repeat steps 9 to 12 to add additional parameters to this validation rule.

    You can add as many parameters to the rule as necessary. Before you submit the rule, you can also remove parameters that you have added by clicking the Scissors icon.

  14. Click Submit.

    A confirmation message asks you to confirm your action.

  15. Click OK.