A “type” defines what kind of data something is, like text, number, or true/false. It helps your program understand how to handle information correctly. Think of it like labeling storage boxes so you know what belongs where.
Because it keeps your website or app from breaking. Type validation checks that the right kind of data is entered in the right place, like making sure someone doesn’t type letters into a phone number field. It’s a small detail that prevents big errors.
Types make your code more predictable and easier to troubleshoot. They help catch mistakes early and protect your database from bad input. In short, they keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes so users get a seamless experience.
“The only permission, the only validation, and the only opinion that matters in our quest for greatness is our own.” – Steve Maraboli
Everyone has a type. Do you not have a favorite type of color, food, movie, or number?
How does your type affect your values, beliefs and feelings of validation? What does validation mean to you?
Why do people seek out validation from others if everyone has different types?
No two people are alike so doesn’t that mean no one will ever win if one relies on outside validation all the time.
Isn’t validation supposed to come from the inside? Do you not validate your own worth?
In Computer Science, validation or verification is the process of checking that a software or application has met the required guidelines and its intended purpose.
The one who decides the requirements and purpose is the client, you.
Shouldn’t you have an idea of what you want the application or website to look like and do?
You may not know or understand the technical details such as how to code something, but what you do know is the big picture of what you want to happen.
You know your type better than anyone else in the world.
Our purpose as web designers and developers is to help you clearly define which of your types are needed to validate your customers’ inputs.
You decide the type of customers you want to attract and repel by letting us know your conditions.
Every condition has a data type. If you try to match conditions with different data types, you may receive an unintentional error.
Error checking is called data validation. Understanding your type helps in making your website or application safer to use.
Presented below are common data validations, but there are many more types than the ones listed.
Examples of data validation are:
Data validation and type checking makes it easier to do the right thing yet much harder to do the wrong thing.
Without data validation, corruption of data and security vulnerabilities will likely occur.
In other words, your type defines your standards, qualities and conditions for decision making.
If your competitve advantage is differentiation and innovation, here’s a quote from Steve Jobs when he released technologies like the Ipad “It’s really hard to design products by focus groups.
A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” How do you validate your idea if no one has ever seen anything quite like it before?
Doesn’t this depend on how well you know yourself and your customers?
To make sure that people do have a need or want for your product or service type, you need some form of validation for your ideas.
Self-validation is enough only if you are trying to market to people exactly like yourself. But as mentioned before, no two people are alike.
You must do some type of market research to know who your desired audiences are.
You are who you attract because customers are captivated by companies that they can feel safe and good about.
Once you fully believe in your type and validate yourself, that confidence will shine and gain the right people’s interests, yet lose the wrong ones. Why would you want to charm those who are not your type?
“Measure twice, cut once.” – Proverb
Frances Naty Go is the founder of Goldlilys Media, where she helps mission-driven organizations turn their websites into clear, durable systems that support meaningful work over time. She works with museums, nonprofits, health and wellness brands, higher education, life sciences, travel organizations, and expert-led businesses.
With a background in Computer Science from UC San Diego, Frances brings a thoughtful, strategic approach to building digital experiences that educate, orient, and build trust, without unnecessary complexity.
Not ready to commit yet?
I get it.
Get my free guide:
"15 Warning Signs Your Website Is Holding You Back"
