What is the difference between spry and WA validation toolkit

[Jenny I]

I just wondered whether the server-side validation of WA was better than spry. Can you fully customise error messages? I find spry server-side a bit limited, just wondered whether WA validation toolkit had any more advanced features

[Ray Borduin]

I've never used spry server side, so I can't comment on comparing the two.

Validation toolkit server validation is completely customizable, so you won't run into any limitations in what you can do other than what you might not be able to conceptualize anything is possible.

If you ask something specific I could tell you how it was done with webassist server validations. I generally use spry for client validations and validation toolkit for server validations. I might use a few client validation features from validation toolkit for really complex validations or reformatting options, but the bulk of the client validation work seems better done with spry these days.

[Jenny I]

With dreamweaver cs3, I don't think spry has any server side validation. I think it has javascript pop up error messages.

Does Validation toolkit have customisable pop up error messages or something equivalent.e.g. Whenb you use dreamweaver javascript validation, all you get is that grey box that tells you you have errors in the form. I have seen much nicer customised pop up messages and interactive forms on various websites. Does validation toolkit give you control of the design of the server-side error messages?

[Ray Borduin]

Yes, you can add messages anywhere that look like anything you want with validation toolkit. Pretty much anything is possible you just have to design it.

[Ray Borduin]

Right... so one of the main differences between WebAssist Server validation and spry validation is that server validation takes place on the server after the form submits and spry validation uses javascript in the browser. Someone can disable javascript and bypass spry validation at any time and server validation is much more secure.

Also spry validation works on a set structure that you need to use for it to work in terms of layer names and style references you need to use. Validation toolkit has you do all of the design and works with what you design so it has no limitations on how it can manifest itself in terms of design.