However, the primary way to improve validation controls is to provide rich feedback to users.
The key to successfully designing a validation control is to give users generous feedback. An entry control that merely refuses to accept input is just plain rude and will guarantee an angry and resentful user.
Programmers have dealt with this dilemma by creating validation controls, or a type of unbounded text-entry control with built-in validation and feedback.
Although the validation control is a very widespread idiom, most such controls can be improved.
Another good solution to the validation control problem is the clue box. This little pop-up window looks and behaves just like a ToolTip (but could be made distinguishable from a ToolTip by background color). Its function is to explain the range of acceptable data for a validation control, either active or passive.
The topics in this section describe the validation controls and how to use them.
When an active validation control rejects a keystroke, it must make it clear to the user that it has done so. It should also alert the user as to why it made the rejection.
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