Last updated on November 16th, 2023 at 09:29 pm
Validation and verification are important checks carried out on data by the computer to ensure the information entered is acceptable.
Quite often, when we search, online websites issue forms for us to fill in information in return for a service. However, in our hurry to satisfy our own needs, we may try to fill in random information to try to move on quickly. It is these checks that prevent us from doing so by ensuring that the information being entered meets certain requirements. Keep reading to learn:
- What is verification and verification;
- Examples of verification and validation; and
- The difference between verification and validation.
Related article: Stages in the verification process
Define verification and validation
Validation in information technology is a check that is an automatic check performed by a computer to ensure the data entered makes sense. An example of a validation check would ensure that an email address has the format something@something.com. The computer checks that there is a series of letters before the @ sign, a series of letters after the @ sign followed by .com, .gov, .org, or any other recognized email extensions.
A verification check is a check that is performed to ensure that the quality and integrity of the data entered are not in any way affected. It is a process used to identify errors and inconsistencies. Part of this process involves correcting data to ensure that the data entered is accurate, consistent, and complete. In this process, the data is checked against the original. Data verification is extremely important when data is migrated.
When data is entered into a computer, it must be processed in a manner for us to make sense of it. When this happens, the data is changed to information. To learn more about data and information and how they differ, visit our article on data and information. Data also needs to be verified to ensure it is good and, therefore, useful. Be sure to visit our article on the key aspects of the data verification process to learn more.
Related article: Types of validation checks
Difference between validation and verification
Are you still puzzled about how verification and validation differ? Let’s dive into it.
While data validation and verification are both important checks performed to ensure the data entered meets expectations, they are definitely not the same.
| Data verification | Data validation | |
|---|---|---|
| When the check is performed | Data verification has to do with ensuring the accuracy of the information entered. It answers the question, “Is the phone number entered the one you were expecting?”. | Data validation ensures that the information entered is appropriate or meets certain standards. |
| When the check is performed | When the information is migrated or reused. | When the information is first entered or updated. |
| Example | Ensuring that the phone number entered exist in the database. | Checking to ensure the phone number entered has 7 digits and all 7 digits are numbers. |