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Max length recommendations

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 4:18 pm
by RSteinwand
Hi Albert,

How do you feel about adding missing maxlength recommendations to form input fields?

If max length is missing, it's possible content will be truncated.

Thanks.

Re: Max length recommendations

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 8:38 pm
by Albert Wiersch
Hi Rick,

Do you have any links to a reputable website that suggests/recommends using this attribute and explains why?

In any case, you should be able to generate a custom message if this attribute is missing using a TNPL script. If you'd like to do this then let me know and I'd be happy to help.

For example, the onStartTag_input() event function can be used (pro+ edition) to generate this message for "input" elements. For more info please see:
https://www.htmlvalidator.com/2019/docs ... agname.htm

Re: Max length recommendations

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:58 am
by Lou
How do you feel about adding missing maxlength recommendations to form input fields?
I use maxlength to control verbosity in free form fields.

My example is a DB for a theater's costume inventory. In addition to all the descriptive fields (size, color...) I have a description field. By adding a maxlength to the description make the printed "catalog" layout easier. On screen of course longer descriptions could be in a box with elevator.
On the other hand, with pictures is a longer description informative, useful or read? I decided a restriction would make the writer think and be succinct.

Re: Max length recommendations

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 12:27 pm
by Albert Wiersch
I'm thinking that a custom TNPL script would be best for this.

Something like this will generate a warning message for "input" elements of type "text" that don't have a "maxlength" attribute:

Code: Select all

function onStartTag_input() {
 if !hasAtt('maxlength') {
  $inputtype=checkStringEx(3,27,getAttValueEx('type',12));
  if $inputtype==4 {
   Message(1,MSG_WARNING,'This "input" element does not have a "maxlength" attribute.');
  }
 }
}
Just put the above in a text file called "myTNPL.txt" (or choose your own name) and specify the file as a 'User functions' file in the 'Config File' page of the Validator Engine Options... then reload the config so it takes effect.

Re: Max length recommendations

Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2019 8:34 pm
by RSteinwand
Thanks Albert!

I'll take a look at that on Monday.

Re: Max length recommendations

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 5:30 am
by Lipford
Lou wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:58 am My example is a solid compound bow for a theater's costume inventory. In addition to all the descriptive fields (size, color...) I have a description field. By adding a maxlength to the description make the printed "catalog" layout easier. On screen of course longer descriptions could be in a box with elevator.
On the other hand, with pictures is a longer description informative, useful or read? I decided a restriction would make the writer think and be succinct.
Do you generally see better quality descriptions when you do this, Lou?

Re: Max length recommendations

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 10:14 am
by Lou
Lipford wrote: Thu May 02, 2019 5:30 am Do you generally see better quality descriptions when you do this, Lou?
Still in development & Testing.