Class Validator

Validator object encapsulates all methods related to data validations for a model It also provides an API to dynamically change validation rules for each model field.

Implements ArrayAccess to easily modify rules in the set

Cake\Validation\Validator implements ArrayAccess, IteratorAggregate, Countable

Namespace: Cake\Validation
Link: https://book.cakephp.org/3.0/en/core-libraries/validation.html
Location: Validation/Validator.php

Constants summary

string

NESTED

'_nested'

Properties summary

$_allowEmptyMessages protected

array

Contains the validation messages associated with checking the emptiness for each corresponding field.
$_defaultProviders protected static

array
An associative array of objects or classes used as a default provider list
$_fields protected

array
Holds the ValidationSet objects array
$_presenceMessages protected

array

Contains the validation messages associated with checking the presence for each corresponding field.
$_providers protected

array

An associative array of objects or classes containing methods used for validation
$_useI18n protected

boolean
Whether or not to use I18n functions for translating default error messages

Method Summary

__construct() public
Constructor
__debugInfo() public
Get the printable version of this object.
_canBeEmpty() protected
Returns whether the field can be left blank according to allowEmpty
_checkPresence() protected

Returns false if any validation for the passed rule set should be stopped due to the field missing in the data array
_convertValidatorToArray() protected
Converts validator to fieldName => $settings array
_fieldIsEmpty() protected
Returns true if the field is empty in the passed data array
_processRules() protected

Iterates over each rule in the validation set and collects the errors resulting from executing them
add() public

Adds a new rule to a field's rule set. If second argument is an array then rules list for the field will be replaced with second argument and third argument will be ignored.
addDefaultProvider() public static
Associates an object to a name so it can be used as a default provider.
addNested() public
Adds a nested validator.
addNestedMany() public
Adds a nested validator.
allowEmpty() public

Allows a field to be empty. You can also pass array. Using an array will let you provide the following keys:
alphaNumeric() public
Add an alphanumeric rule to a field.
ascii() public
Add a validation rule to ensure a field contains only ascii bytes
boolean() public
Add a boolean validation rule to a field.
containsNonAlphaNumeric() public
Add a rule to check if a field contains non alpha numeric characters.
count() public
Returns the number of fields having validation rules
creditCard() public
Add a credit card rule to a field.
date() public
Add a date format validation rule to a field.
dateTime() public
Add a date time format validation rule to a field.
decimal() public
Add a decimal validation rule to a field.
email() public
Add an email validation rule to a field.
equals() public
Add a equal to comparison rule to a field.
errors() public

Returns an array of fields that have failed validation. On the current model. This method will actually run validation rules over data, not just return the messages.
field() public

Returns a ValidationSet object containing all validation rules for a field, if passed a ValidationSet as second argument, it will replace any other rule set defined before
getDefaultProvider() public static
Returns the default provider stored under that name if it exists.
getDefaultProviders() public static
Get the list of default providers.
getIterator() public
Returns an iterator for each of the fields to be validated
getProvider() public
Returns the provider stored under that name if it exists.
greaterThan() public
Add a greater than comparison rule to a field.
greaterThanOrEqual() public
Add a greater than or equal to comparison rule to a field.
hasAtLeast() public

Add a validation rule to ensure that a field is an array containing at least the specified amount of elements
hasAtMost() public

Add a validation rule to ensure that a field is an array containing at most the specified amount of elements
hasField() public
Check whether or not a validator contains any rules for the given field.
hexColor() public
Add a validation rule to ensure a field is a 6 digits hex color value.
inList() public
Add a validation rule to ensure the field value is within a whitelist.
integer() public
Add a validation rule to ensure a field is an integer value.
ip() public
Add an IP validation rule to a field.
ipv4() public
Add an IPv4 validation rule to a field.
ipv6() public
Add an IPv6 validation rule to a field.
isArray() public
Add a validation rule to ensure that a field contains an array.
isEmptyAllowed() public

Returns whether or not a field can be left empty for a new or already existing record.
isPresenceRequired() public

Returns whether or not a field can be left out for a new or already existing record.
latLong() public
Add a validation rule to ensure the field is a lat/long tuple.
latitude() public
Add a validation rule to ensure the field is a latitude.
lengthBetween() public
Add an rule that ensures a string length is within a range.
lessThan() public
Add a less than comparison rule to a field.
lessThanOrEqual() public
Add a less than or equal comparison rule to a field.
localizedTime() public
Add a localized time, date or datetime format validation rule to a field.
longitude() public
Add a validation rule to ensure the field is a longitude.
maxLength() public
Add a string length validation rule to a field.
maxLengthBytes() public
Add a string length validation rule to a field.
minLength() public
Add a string length validation rule to a field.
minLengthBytes() public
Add a string length validation rule to a field.
multipleOptions() public
Add a validation rule for a multiple select. Comparison is case sensitive by default.
naturalNumber() public
Add a natural number validation rule to a field.
nonNegativeInteger() public
Add a validation rule to ensure a field is a non negative integer.
notBlank() public
Add a notBlank rule to a field.
notEmpty() public

Sets a field to require a non-empty value. You can also pass array. Using an array will let you provide the following keys:
notEquals() public
Add a not equal to comparison rule to a field.
numeric() public
Add a numeric value validation rule to a field.
offsetExists() public
Returns whether a rule set is defined for a field or not
offsetGet() public
Returns the rule set for a field
offsetSet() public
Sets the rule set for a field
offsetUnset() public
Unsets the rule set for a field
provider() public

Associates an object to a name so it can be used as a provider. Providers are objects or class names that can contain methods used during validation of for deciding whether a validation rule can be applied. All validation methods, when called will receive the full list of providers stored in this validator.
providers() public
Get the list of providers in this validator.
range() public
Add a validation rule to ensure a field is within a numeric range
regex() public
Returns whether or not a field matches against a regular expression.
remove() public
Removes a rule from the set by its name
requirePresence() public

Sets whether a field is required to be present in data array. You can also pass array. Using an array will let you provide the following keys:
sameAs() public
Add a rule to compare two fields to each other.
scalar() public
Add a validation rule to ensure that a field contains a scalar.
setProvider() public

Associates an object to a name so it can be used as a provider. Providers are objects or class names that can contain methods used during validation of for deciding whether a validation rule can be applied. All validation methods, when called will receive the full list of providers stored in this validator.
time() public
Add a time format validation rule to a field.
uploadedFile() public
Add a validation rule to ensure the field is an uploaded file
url() public
Add a validation rule to ensure a field is a URL.
urlWithProtocol() public
Add a validation rule to ensure a field is a URL.
utf8() public
Add a validation rule to ensure a field contains only BMP utf8 bytes
utf8Extended() public
Add a validation rule to ensure a field contains only utf8 bytes.
uuid() public
Add a validation rule to ensure the field is a UUID

Method Detail

__construct()source public

__construct( )

Constructor

__debugInfo()source public

__debugInfo( )

Get the printable version of this object.

Returns

array

_canBeEmpty()source protected

_canBeEmpty( Cake\Validation\ValidationSet $field , array $context )

Returns whether the field can be left blank according to allowEmpty

Parameters

Cake\Validation\ValidationSet $field: the set of rules for a field
array $context: a key value list of data containing the validation context.

Returns

boolean

_checkPresence()source protected

_checkPresence( Cake\Validation\ValidationSet $field , array $context )

Returns false if any validation for the passed rule set should be stopped due to the field missing in the data array

Parameters

Cake\Validation\ValidationSet $field: The set of rules for a field.
array $context: A key value list of data containing the validation context.

Returns

boolean

_convertValidatorToArray()source protected

_convertValidatorToArray( integer|string $fieldName , array $defaults [] , string|array $settings [] )

Converts validator to fieldName => $settings array

Parameters

integer|string $fieldName: name of field
array $defaults optional []: default settings
string|array $settings optional []: settings from data

Returns

array

_fieldIsEmpty()source protected

_fieldIsEmpty( mixed $data )

Returns true if the field is empty in the passed data array

Parameters

mixed $data: value to check against

Returns

boolean

_processRules()source protected

_processRules( string $field , Cake\Validation\ValidationSet $rules , array $data , boolean $newRecord )

Iterates over each rule in the validation set and collects the errors resulting from executing them

Parameters

string $field: The name of the field that is being processed
Cake\Validation\ValidationSet $rules: the list of rules for a field
array $data: the full data passed to the validator
boolean $newRecord: whether is it a new record or an existing one

Returns

array

add()source public

add( string $field , array|string $name , array|Cake\Validation\ValidationRule $rule [] )

Adds a new rule to a field's rule set. If second argument is an array then rules list for the field will be replaced with second argument and third argument will be ignored.

Example:

$validator
         ->add('title', 'required', ['rule' => 'notBlank'])
         ->add('user_id', 'valid', ['rule' => 'numeric', 'message' => 'Invalid User'])

     $validator->add('password', [
         'size' => ['rule' => ['lengthBetween', 8, 20]],
         'hasSpecialCharacter' => ['rule' => 'validateSpecialchar', 'message' => 'not valid']
     ]);

Parameters

string $field: The name of the field from which the rule will be added
array|string $name: The alias for a single rule or multiple rules array
array|Cake\Validation\ValidationRule $rule optional []: the rule to add

Returns

$this

addDefaultProvider()source public static

addDefaultProvider( string $name , object|string $object )

Associates an object to a name so it can be used as a default provider.

Parameters

string $name: The name under which the provider should be set.
object|string $object: Provider object or class name.

addNested()source public

addNested( string $field , Cake\Validation\Validator $validator )

Adds a nested validator.

Nesting validators allows you to define validators for array types. For example, nested validators are ideal when you want to validate a sub-document, or complex array type.

This method assumes that the sub-document has a 1:1 relationship with the parent.

The providers of the parent validator will be synced into the nested validator, when errors are checked. This ensures that any validation rule providers connected in the parent will have the same values in the nested validator when rules are evaluated.

Parameters

string $field: The root field for the nested validator.
Cake\Validation\Validator $validator: The nested validator.

Returns

$this

addNestedMany()source public

addNestedMany( string $field , Cake\Validation\Validator $validator )

Adds a nested validator.

Nesting validators allows you to define validators for array types. For example, nested validators are ideal when you want to validate many similar sub-documents or complex array types.

This method assumes that the sub-document has a 1:N relationship with the parent.

Parameters

string $field: The root field for the nested validator.
Cake\Validation\Validator $validator: The nested validator.

Returns

$this

allowEmpty()source public

allowEmpty( string|array $field , boolean|string|callable $when true , string|null $message null )

Allows a field to be empty. You can also pass array. Using an array will let you provide the following keys:

when individual when condition for field
'message' individual message for field

You can also set when and message for all passed fields, the individual setting takes precedence over group settings.

This is the opposite of notEmpty() which requires a field to not be empty. By using $mode equal to 'create' or 'update', you can allow fields to be empty when records are first created, or when they are updated.

Example:

// Email can be empty
$validator->allowEmpty('email');

// Email can be empty on create
$validator->allowEmpty('email', 'create');

// Email can be empty on update
$validator->allowEmpty('email', 'update');

// Email and subject can be empty on update
$validator->allowEmpty(['email', 'subject'], 'update');

// Email can be always empty, subject and content can be empty on update.
$validator->allowEmpty(
     [
         'email' => [
             'when' => true
         ],
         'content' => [
             'message' => 'Content cannot be empty'
         ],
         'subject'
     ],
     'update'
);

It is possible to conditionally allow emptiness on a field by passing a callback as a second argument. The callback will receive the validation context array as argument:

$validator->allowEmpty('email', function ($context) {
 return !$context['newRecord'] || $context['data']['role'] === 'admin';
});

This method will correctly detect empty file uploads and date/time/datetime fields.

Because this and notEmpty() modify the same internal state, the last method called will take precedence.

Parameters

string|array $field: the name of the field or a list of fields
boolean|string|callable $when optional true: Indicates when the field is allowed to be empty Valid values are true (always), 'create', 'update'. If a callable is passed then the field will allowed to be empty only when the callback returns true.
string|null $message optional null: The message to show if the field is not

Returns

$this

alphaNumeric()source public

alphaNumeric( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add an alphanumeric rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::alphaNumeric()

ascii()source public

ascii( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure a field contains only ascii bytes

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::ascii()

boolean()source public

boolean( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a boolean validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::boolean()

containsNonAlphaNumeric()source public

containsNonAlphaNumeric( string $field , integer $limit 1 , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a rule to check if a field contains non alpha numeric characters.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer $limit optional 1: The minimum number of non-alphanumeric fields required.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::containsNonAlphaNumeric()

count()source public

count( )

Returns the number of fields having validation rules

Returns

integer

Implementation of

Countable::count()

creditCard()source public

creditCard( string $field , string $type 'all' , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a credit card rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string $type optional 'all': The type of cards you want to allow. Defaults to 'all'. You can also supply an array of accepted card types. e.g ['mastercard', 'visa', 'amex']
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::cc()

date()source public

date( string $field , array $formats ['ymd'] , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a date format validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
array $formats optional ['ymd']: A list of accepted date formats.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::date()

dateTime()source public

dateTime( string $field , array $formats ['ymd'] , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a date time format validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
array $formats optional ['ymd']: A list of accepted date formats.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::datetime()

decimal()source public

decimal( string $field , integer|null $places null , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a decimal validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer|null $places optional null: The number of decimal places to require.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::decimal()

email()source public

email( string $field , boolean $checkMX false , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add an email validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
boolean $checkMX optional false: Whether or not to check the MX records.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::email()

equals()source public

equals( string $field , integer|float $value , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a equal to comparison rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer|float $value: The value user data must be equal to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::comparison()

errors()source public

errors( array $data , boolean $newRecord true )

Returns an array of fields that have failed validation. On the current model. This method will actually run validation rules over data, not just return the messages.

Parameters

array $data: The data to be checked for errors
boolean $newRecord optional true: whether the data to be validated is new or to be updated.

Returns

array
Array of invalid fields

field()source public

field( string $name , Cake\Validation\ValidationSet $set null )

Returns a ValidationSet object containing all validation rules for a field, if passed a ValidationSet as second argument, it will replace any other rule set defined before

Parameters

string $name: [optional] The fieldname to fetch.
Cake\Validation\ValidationSet $set optional null: The set of rules for field

Returns

Cake\Validation\ValidationSet

getDefaultProvider()source public static

getDefaultProvider( string $name )

Returns the default provider stored under that name if it exists.

Parameters

string $name: The name under which the provider should be retrieved.

Returns

object|string|null

getDefaultProviders()source public static

getDefaultProviders( )

Get the list of default providers.

Returns

array

getIterator()source public

getIterator( )

Returns an iterator for each of the fields to be validated

Returns

ArrayIterator

Implementation of

IteratorAggregate::getIterator()

getProvider()source public

getProvider( string $name )

Returns the provider stored under that name if it exists.

Parameters

string $name: The name under which the provider should be set.

Returns

object|string|null

greaterThan()source public

greaterThan( string $field , integer|float $value , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a greater than comparison rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer|float $value: The value user data must be greater than.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::comparison()

greaterThanOrEqual()source public

greaterThanOrEqual( string $field , integer|float $value , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a greater than or equal to comparison rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer|float $value: The value user data must be greater than or equal to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::comparison()

hasAtLeast()source public

hasAtLeast( string $field , integer $count , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure that a field is an array containing at least the specified amount of elements

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer $count: The number of elements the array should at least have
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::numElements()

hasAtMost()source public

hasAtMost( string $field , integer $count , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure that a field is an array containing at most the specified amount of elements

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer $count: The number maximum amount of elements the field should have
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::numElements()

hasField()source public

hasField( string $name )

Check whether or not a validator contains any rules for the given field.

Parameters

string $name: The field name to check.

Returns

boolean

hexColor()source public

hexColor( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure a field is a 6 digits hex color value.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::hexColor()

inList()source public

inList( string $field , array $list , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure the field value is within a whitelist.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
array $list: The list of valid options.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::inList()

integer()source public

integer( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure a field is an integer value.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::isInteger()

ip()source public

ip( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add an IP validation rule to a field.

This rule will accept both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::ip()

ipv4()source public

ipv4( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add an IPv4 validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::ip()

ipv6()source public

ipv6( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add an IPv6 validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::ip()

isArray()source public

isArray( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure that a field contains an array.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::isArray()

isEmptyAllowed()source public

isEmptyAllowed( string $field , boolean $newRecord )

Returns whether or not a field can be left empty for a new or already existing record.

Parameters

string $field: Field name.
boolean $newRecord: whether the data to be validated is new or to be updated.

Returns

boolean

isPresenceRequired()source public

isPresenceRequired( string $field , boolean $newRecord )

Returns whether or not a field can be left out for a new or already existing record.

Parameters

string $field: Field name.
boolean $newRecord: Whether the data to be validated is new or to be updated.

Returns

boolean

latLong()source public

latLong( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure the field is a lat/long tuple.

e.g. <lat>, <lng>

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::uuid()

latitude()source public

latitude( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure the field is a latitude.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::latitude()

lengthBetween()source public

lengthBetween( string $field , array $range , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add an rule that ensures a string length is within a range.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
array $range: The inclusive minimum and maximum length you want permitted.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::alphaNumeric()

lessThan()source public

lessThan( string $field , integer|float $value , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a less than comparison rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer|float $value: The value user data must be less than.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::comparison()

lessThanOrEqual()source public

lessThanOrEqual( string $field , integer|float $value , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a less than or equal comparison rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer|float $value: The value user data must be less than or equal to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::comparison()

localizedTime()source public

localizedTime( string $field , string $type 'datetime' , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a localized time, date or datetime format validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string $type optional 'datetime': Parser type, one out of 'date', 'time', and 'datetime'
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::localizedTime()

longitude()source public

longitude( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure the field is a longitude.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::longitude()

maxLength()source public

maxLength( string $field , integer $max , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a string length validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer $max: The maximum length allowed.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::maxLength()

maxLengthBytes()source public

maxLengthBytes( string $field , integer $max , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a string length validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer $max: The maximum length allowed.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::maxLengthBytes()

minLength()source public

minLength( string $field , integer $min , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a string length validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer $min: The minimum length required.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::minLength()

minLengthBytes()source public

minLengthBytes( string $field , integer $min , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a string length validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer $min: The minimum length required.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::minLengthBytes()

multipleOptions()source public

multipleOptions( string $field , array $options [] , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule for a multiple select. Comparison is case sensitive by default.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
array $options optional []: The options for the validator. Includes the options defined in \Cake\Validation\Validation::multiple() and the caseInsensitive parameter.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::multiple()

naturalNumber()source public

naturalNumber( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a natural number validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::naturalNumber()

nonNegativeInteger()source public

nonNegativeInteger( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure a field is a non negative integer.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::naturalNumber()

notBlank()source public

notBlank( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a notBlank rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::notBlank()

notEmpty()source public

notEmpty( string|array $field , string|null $message null , boolean|string|callable $when false )

Sets a field to require a non-empty value. You can also pass array. Using an array will let you provide the following keys:

when individual when condition for field
message individual error message for field

You can also set when and message for all passed fields, the individual setting takes precedence over group settings.

This is the opposite of allowEmpty() which allows a field to be empty. By using $mode equal to 'create' or 'update', you can make fields required when records are first created, or when they are updated.

Example:

$message = 'This field cannot be empty';

// Email cannot be empty
$validator->notEmpty('email');

// Email can be empty on update, but not create
$validator->notEmpty('email', $message, 'create');

// Email can be empty on create, but required on update.
$validator->notEmpty('email', $message, 'update');

// Email and title can be empty on create, but are required on update.
$validator->notEmpty(['email', 'title'], $message, 'update');

// Email can be empty on create, title must always be not empty
$validator->notEmpty(
     [
         'email',
         'title' => [
             'when' => true,
             'message' => 'Title cannot be empty'
         ]
     ],
     $message,
     'update'
);

It is possible to conditionally disallow emptiness on a field by passing a callback as the third argument. The callback will receive the validation context array as argument:

$validator->notEmpty('email', 'Email is required', function ($context) {
  return $context['newRecord'] && $context['data']['role'] !== 'admin';
});

Because this and allowEmpty() modify the same internal state, the last method called will take precedence.

Parameters

string|array $field: the name of the field or list of fields
string|null $message optional null: The message to show if the field is not
boolean|string|callable $when optional false: Indicates when the field is not allowed to be empty. Valid values are true (always), 'create', 'update'. If a callable is passed then the field will allowed to be empty only when the callback returns false.

Returns

$this

notEquals()source public

notEquals( string $field , integer|float $value , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a not equal to comparison rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
integer|float $value: The value user data must be not be equal to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::comparison()

numeric()source public

numeric( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a numeric value validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::numeric()

offsetExists()source public

offsetExists( string $field )

Returns whether a rule set is defined for a field or not

Parameters

string $field: name of the field to check

Returns

boolean

Implementation of

ArrayAccess::offsetExists()

offsetGet()source public

offsetGet( string $field )

Returns the rule set for a field

Parameters

string $field: name of the field to check

Returns

Cake\Validation\ValidationSet

Implementation of

ArrayAccess::offsetGet()

offsetSet()source public

offsetSet( string $field , array|Cake\Validation\ValidationSet $rules )

Sets the rule set for a field

Parameters

string $field: name of the field to set
array|Cake\Validation\ValidationSet $rules: set of rules to apply to field

Implementation of

ArrayAccess::offsetSet()

offsetUnset()source public

offsetUnset( string $field )

Unsets the rule set for a field

Parameters

string $field: name of the field to unset

Implementation of

ArrayAccess::offsetUnset()

provider()source public

provider( string $name , null|object|string $object null )

Associates an object to a name so it can be used as a provider. Providers are objects or class names that can contain methods used during validation of for deciding whether a validation rule can be applied. All validation methods, when called will receive the full list of providers stored in this validator.

If called with no arguments, it will return the provider stored under that name if it exists, otherwise it returns this instance of chaining.

Deprecated

3.4.0 Use setProvider()/getProvider() instead.

Parameters

string $name: The name under which the provider should be set.
null|object|string $object optional null: Provider object or class name.

Returns

$this|object|string|null

providers()source public

providers( )

Get the list of providers in this validator.

Returns

array

range()source public

range( string $field , array $range , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure a field is within a numeric range

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
array $range: The inclusive upper and lower bounds of the valid range.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::range()

regex()source public

regex( string $field , string $regex , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Returns whether or not a field matches against a regular expression.

Parameters

string $field: Field name.
string $regex: Regular expression.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

boolean

remove()source public

remove( string $field , string|null $rule null )

Removes a rule from the set by its name

Example:

$validator
         ->remove('title', 'required')
         ->remove('user_id')

Parameters

string $field: The name of the field from which the rule will be removed
string|null $rule optional null: the name of the rule to be removed

Returns

$this

requirePresence()source public

requirePresence( string|array $field , boolean|string|callable $mode true , string|null $message null )

Sets whether a field is required to be present in data array. You can also pass array. Using an array will let you provide the following keys:

mode individual mode for field
message individual error message for field

You can also set mode and message for all passed fields, the individual setting takes precedence over group settings.

Parameters

string|array $field: the name of the field or list of fields.
boolean|string|callable $mode optional true: Valid values are true, false, 'create', 'update'. If a callable is passed then the field will be required only when the callback returns true.
string|null $message optional null: The message to show if the field presence validation fails.

Returns

$this

sameAs()source public

sameAs( mixed $field , mixed $secondField , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a rule to compare two fields to each other.

If both fields have the exact same value the rule will pass.

Parameters

mixed $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
mixed $secondField: The field you want to compare against.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::compareWith()

scalar()source public

scalar( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure that a field contains a scalar.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::isScalar()

setProvider()source public

setProvider( string $name , object|string $object )

Parameters

string $name: The name under which the provider should be set.
object|string $object: Provider object or class name.

Returns

$this

time()source public

time( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a time format validation rule to a field.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::time()

uploadedFile()source public

uploadedFile( string $field , array $options , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure the field is an uploaded file

For options see Cake\Validation\Validation::uploadedFile()

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
array $options: An array of options.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::uploadedFile()

url()source public

url( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure a field is a URL.

This validator does not require a protocol.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::url()

urlWithProtocol()source public

urlWithProtocol( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure a field is a URL.

This validator requires the URL to have a protocol.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::url()

utf8()source public

utf8( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure a field contains only BMP utf8 bytes

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::utf8()

utf8Extended()source public

utf8Extended( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure a field contains only utf8 bytes.

This rule will accept 3 and 4 byte UTF8 sequences, which are necessary for emoji.

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::utf8()

uuid()source public

uuid( string $field , string|null $message null , string|callable|null $when null )

Add a validation rule to ensure the field is a UUID

Parameters

string $field: The field you want to apply the rule to.
string|null $message optional null: The error message when the rule fails.
string|callable|null $when optional null: Either 'create' or 'update' or a callable that returns true when the validation rule should be applied.

Returns

$this

See

\Cake\Validation\Validation::uuid()

Properties detail

$_allowEmptyMessagessource

protected array

Contains the validation messages associated with checking the emptiness for each corresponding field.

[]

$_defaultProviderssource

protected static array

An associative array of objects or classes used as a default provider list

[]

$_fieldssource

protected array

Holds the ValidationSet objects array

[]

$_presenceMessagessource

protected array

Contains the validation messages associated with checking the presence for each corresponding field.

[]

$_providerssource

protected array

An associative array of objects or classes containing methods used for validation

[]

$_useI18nsource

protected boolean

Whether or not to use I18n functions for translating default error messages

false

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Licensed under the MIT License.
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https://api.cakephp.org/3.4/class-Cake.Validation.Validator.html