Re: limit string length

On Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:25:54 +0200, Mark Birbeck  
<mark.birbeck@formsPlayer.com> wrote:
> I think the @constraint way is the best one.

I agree. Apart from it being the shortest, the reason I prefer the  
constraint approach over HTML's maxlength is that it records everything I  
type. When I type I don't necessarily watch the screen while I do it. With  
the maxlength version, the text after the maxlength is just lost (and if I  
don't look I may not even notice).

The constraint approach keeps the text I typed, with a visual indication  
that something is wrong, and preventing me from submitting the data. I can  
then go and edit the offending field to reduce it to size: the text that I  
want to keep may be at the end of the field rather than the beginning.

Small case in point: When I type in my address in a form, I usually 'type  
blind' and tab from field to field. Dutch postal codes consist of 4  
digits, a space and 2 letters. However some wretched sites don't accept  
the space, and have a maxlength of 6 on the field. I type "1234 AA", and  
tab out, and the field contains "1234 A". Now I have to delete the space  
and type another A. The constraint version would have let me just delete  
the space.

Best wishes,

Steven Pemberton