Validation Features

This feature enforces numerical constraints by allowing developers to set minimum and maximum boundaries for the value to be humanized.

Overview

The Validation Features of the SiticoneHumanizerFloat control provide properties to ensure that the numeric value being processed falls within acceptable limits. By setting a MinimumValue and/or a MaximumValue, developers can guarantee that the value conforms to expected ranges, thereby preventing errors or unexpected behavior during humanization. These validations are applied automatically when assigning a new value to the control.

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Key Points

Item	Description
MinimumValue	Sets the lower bound for acceptable numeric values (set to null if no minimum is required).
MaximumValue	Sets the upper bound for acceptable numeric values (set to null if no maximum is required).

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Best Practices

Aspect	Recommendation
Define Clear Limits	Always specify realistic MinimumValue and MaximumValue values based on the application's requirements.
Use null for Flexibility	Set MinimumValue or MaximumValue to null if there is no constraint in one direction, ensuring flexibility.
Validate Before Assignment	Consider validating the input value against the defined limits before setting the Value property programmatically.

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Common Pitfalls

Issue	Description	Resolution
Overly Restrictive Limits	Setting the minimum or maximum value too narrowly may cause legitimate numbers to be rejected.	Review and adjust the constraints based on realistic data expectations.
Inconsistent Range Definitions	Defining a MinimumValue that is greater than the MaximumValue triggers an exception.	Ensure that MinimumValue is always less than MaximumValue when both are set.
Missing Null Checks	Not accounting for null values when comparing the current value against MinimumValue or MaximumValue.	Implement null checks in the logic that interacts with these properties to avoid runtime exceptions.

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Usage Scenarios

Scenario	Description
Data Input Validation	Use the validation features to ensure that user-entered numerical values fall within an acceptable range.
Business Rule Enforcement	Enforce business logic by setting boundaries (e.g., minimum order amounts, maximum allowable discounts).
Safe Display of Measurements	Prevent erroneous data display in applications such as scientific instruments by validating measurement ranges.

Code Example: Configuring Validation Features

// Create an instance of the humanizer control
var humanizer = new SiticoneHumanizerFloat();

// Set a minimum allowed value (e.g., 0 for non-negative numbers)
humanizer.MinimumValue = 0;

// Set a maximum allowed value (e.g., 1000000 for financial applications)
humanizer.MaximumValue = 1000000;

// Set a valid value within the specified range
humanizer.Value = 500000;

// Display the humanized value
Console.WriteLine("Validated Value: " + humanizer.Humanized);

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Real Life Usage Scenarios

Scenario	Description
Financial Applications	Ensure that monetary values do not drop below zero or exceed expected transaction limits.
Scientific Data Entry	Validate that sensor or measurement data remains within a safe and meaningful operational range.
User Input in Forms	Guarantee that user inputs, such as age or quantity fields, are within realistic and defined boundaries.

Code Example: User Input Validation

try
{
    // Assume we are processing user input from a form
    double userInput = Convert.ToDouble(Console.ReadLine());

    // Configure validation constraints
    humanizer.MinimumValue = 1;
    humanizer.MaximumValue = 100;

    // Set the value; if the input is out of range, an exception will be thrown
    humanizer.Value = userInput;

    Console.WriteLine("Validated Input: " + humanizer.Humanized);
}
catch (ArgumentOutOfRangeException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Input is out of the allowed range: " + ex.Message);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine("An error occurred: " + ex.Message);
}

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Troubleshooting Tips

Issue	Possible Cause	Suggested Action
Exception when setting MinimumValue/MaximumValue	Setting MinimumValue greater than MaximumValue or vice versa.	Ensure that MinimumValue is set to a value lower than MaximumValue, or set one to null if not needed.
Value Out Of Range Exception	The current Value is not within the set boundaries.	Validate the input data before assignment or adjust the MinimumValue/MaximumValue settings to match expected values.
Unhandled Exceptions	Direct assignment of invalid data without proper error handling.	Implement try-catch blocks to handle exceptions gracefully and provide user-friendly error messages.

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Review

Aspect	Review Notes
Robustness	The validation features provide a simple yet effective way to enforce numeric constraints.
Ease of Integration	Easily integrate these features by setting MinimumValue and MaximumValue directly on the control instance.
Potential Pitfalls	Misconfiguration of range boundaries can lead to runtime exceptions; careful planning is required.
Extensibility	The design allows for future enhancements, such as custom error messages or dynamic range adjustments.

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Summary

Summary Point	Description
Enforced Numeric Constraints	Developers can ensure that the value processed by the control is within specified minimum and maximum boundaries.
Simple Configuration	The MinimumValue and MaximumValue properties offer an easy-to-use method for data validation in various scenarios.
Enhanced Data Integrity	By validating numeric input, the control helps maintain consistency and integrity in application data.

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Additional Considerations

Consideration	Description
Consistent Data Validation	Ensure that other parts of your application that accept numeric input are synchronized with these constraints.
User Feedback	Consider providing immediate user feedback when an input value violates the validation limits.
Testing	Thoroughly test edge cases (e.g., exactly at the limits, just below, just above) to ensure the validation behaves as expected.

Code Example: Comprehensive Exception Handling

try
{
    // Attempt to set a value that violates the minimum and maximum constraints
    humanizer.MinimumValue = 10;
    humanizer.MaximumValue = 100;
    humanizer.Value = 5; // This will trigger an exception as it is below the minimum
}
catch (ArgumentOutOfRangeException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Validation Error: " + ex.Message);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine("An unexpected error occurred: " + ex.Message);
}

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By leveraging the Validation Features of the SiticoneHumanizerFloat control, developers can enforce strict numeric boundaries, ensuring that the values processed are within expected limits and enhancing the overall robustness and integrity of their .NET WinForms applications.