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.TH "widget_validator" 3tk 0\&.1 tklib "widget::validator behaviour"
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.SH NAME
widget_validator \- widget::validator behaviour
.SH SYNOPSIS
package require \fBTcl  8\&.5\fR
.sp
package require \fBTk  8\&.5\fR
.sp
package require \fBwidget::validator  ?0\&.1?\fR
.sp
\fBwidget::validator\fR \fBattach\fR \fIw\fR \fIcolor\fR \fIcmdprefix\fR
.sp
\fBwidget::validator\fR \fBdetach\fR \fIw\fR
.sp
\fBwidget::validator\fR \fBvalidate\fR \fIw\fR
.sp
.BE
.SH DESCRIPTION
This package provides a unified validation API
for \fBttk\fR's entry and combobox widgets\&.
.PP
Please note that the validation behaviour
defined in this package will not reject invalid
edits\&. It will only highlight the entry containing
invalid data and set the proper state flag\&.
.PP
It is the responsibility of the using package
or application to decide how and when to actually
reject such invalid content\&.
.PP
.TP
\fBwidget::validator\fR \fBattach\fR \fIw\fR \fIcolor\fR \fIcmdprefix\fR
This method adds a validating behaviour to the widget \fIw\fR\&.
.sp
Whenever the content of the widget's entry field changes
the specified \fIcmdprefix\fR is invoked and has to return a
boolean value, where \fBtrue\fR means that content is ok, and
\fBfalse\fR that the content is invalid\&. For more information
on the command prefix see section \fBValidation\fR\&.
In case of the latter the background color of the entry field
is changed to \fIcolor\fR to indicate the invalidity\&.
.sp
The system does not support nesting of validators on a
widget, nor the attachment of multiple validators\&. To change
validating conditions \fBdetach\fR the current validator first
before attaching the new\&.
.sp
An error is thrown if the widget has already
validating behaviour attached to it\&.
.sp
The result of the method is the empty string\&.
.sp
To achieve its aims the package overrides various
configuration options of the widget the behaviour is
attached to\&. These options are restored to their previous
values on \fBdetach\fR\&.
.sp
If other behaviours are attached the validator
may be rendered temporarily (partially) non-functional\&.
Similarly, if the validator is detached while a different
behaviour is also attached its restoration of configuration
settings may render the other non-functional
.TP
\fBwidget::validator\fR \fBdetach\fR \fIw\fR
This method removes the validating behaviour from
the widget \fIw\fR and restores it to its original
state\&.
.sp
An error is thrown if the widget has no
validating behaviour attached to it\&.
.sp
The result of the method is the empty string\&.
.TP
\fBwidget::validator\fR \fBvalidate\fR \fIw\fR
Invoking this method forces a validation of the
widget \fIw\fR, assuming that it has a validator
behaviour attached to it\&.
.sp
The result of the method is the empty string\&.
.PP
.SH VALIDATION
The command prefix for used for validation has to
have the following signature:
.TP
{*}\fIcmdprefix\fR \fItext\fR
The argument is the text to validate\&.
.sp
The result of the callback has to be a boolean value
where \fBtrue\fR means that \fItext\fR is ok, and
\fBfalse\fR that \fItext\fR is invalid\&.
.PP
.SH EXAMPLE
.CS


package require Tk 8\&.5
package require widget::validator

set TE {}
set TC {}

ttk::entry    \&.e -textvariable TE
ttk::combobox \&.c -textvariable TC -values {fruit vegetable corn}
ttk::combobox \&.n -values {fruit vegetable corn}
ttk::button   \&.x -command ::exit -text Exit

pack \&.e -expand 1 -fill both -side top
pack \&.c -expand 1 -fill both -side top
pack \&.n -expand 1 -fill both -side top
pack \&.x -expand 1 -fill both -side top

widget::validator attach \&.e lightblue {apply {text {
    expr {$text ne {}}
}}}

widget::validator attach \&.c yellow {apply {text {
    expr {$text ni {{} hello world}}
}}}

widget::validator attach \&.n pink {apply {text {
    expr {$text ni {{} blub}}
}}}

.CE
.SH "BUGS, IDEAS, FEEDBACK"
This document, and the package it describes, will undoubtedly contain
bugs and other problems\&.
Please report such in the category \fIwidget::validator\fR of the
\fITklib Trackers\fR [http://core\&.tcl\&.tk/tklib/reportlist]\&.
Please also report any ideas for enhancements you may have for either
package and/or documentation\&.
.SH KEYWORDS
invalid, state management, ttk::combobox, ttk::entry, validation, widget validation