Generic Field Validator...

[MikeSnead]

Just a function I've been using lately in both PHP and Javascript form in order to quickly validate data handed in by a user via form post. Wanted to see what some others thought of the concept and implementation. Thanks 🙂

function validate_field( $variable , $nullable = false , $regex = null , $redirect = false , $redirect_target = null )
{
	if ( !$nullable && ( $variable == null || $variable == "" ) )
    {
    	// Validation Failed

	if ( $redirect )
	{
    	redirect($redirect_target.'1');
    	exit();
	}
	else
	{
		return false;
	}
}

if ( $nullable && ( $variable == null || $variable == "" ) )
{
	return $variable;
}

if ( $regex != '' && $regex != null )
{
	if ( !preg_match($regex, $variable) )
	{
		// Validation Failed

		if ( $redirect )
    	{
        	redirect($redirect_target.'2');
        	exit();
    	}
    	else
    	{
    		return false;
    	}
	}
}

return $variable;
}

[visualAd]

Yes - I have done something similar, just posted it here. I like the idea of a regular expression to validate a variable - especially useful in the situation where you may need to validate an email address. 🙂