Bootstrap Validation

Remarks#

This validation technique can only be used on inputs that are within a form.
Properties must have at least one validation requirement to show highlighting on a failed onSubmit() validation. Data types (other than string) have a hidden data type requirement, so do not require an explicit data annotation. Strings do not have this, so to force a validation check along with the other fields, add the data annotation [MinLengthAttribute(0)].

Using ASP.NET MVC and Data Annotations

Add the following to Web.config (in Views folder), within <appSettings>:

<add key="ClientValidationEnabled" value="true"/>
<add key="UnobtrusiveJavaScriptEnabled" value="true"/>

Add the jqueryval bundle to BundleConfig.cs:

bundles.Add(new ScriptBundle("~/bundles/jqueryval").Include(
        "~/Scripts/jqueryval/jquery.validate*"));

Add the following to all pages that need validation (or _Layout.cshml):

<!-- Reference to the jqueryval bundle -->
@Scripts.Render("~/bundles/jqueryval")

<!-- jQuery to apply bootstrap validation classes and glyphicons to inputs -->
<script type="text/javascript">
    $.validator.setDefaults({
        highlight: function (element) {
            $(element).closest('.form-group').removeClass('has-success has-feedback').addClass('has-error has-feedback'); // red highlighting
            $(element).closest('.form-group').find('.form-control-feedback').removeClass('glyphicon-ok').addClass('glyphicon-remove'); // red cross glyphicon
        },
        unhighlight: function (element) {
            $(element).closest('.form-group').removeClass('has-error has-feedback').addClass('has-success has-feedback'); // green highlighting
            $(element).closest('.form-group').find('.form-control-feedback').removeClass('glyphicon-remove').addClass('glyphicon-ok'); // green tick glyphicon
        }
    });
</script>

Add data annotations to the relevant fields in the model:

using System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations;

[Required(ErrorMessage = "This field is required.")

In the view, add the following to each input that needs validating:

<!-- Validation messages -->
<div class="text-danger">@Html.ValidationMessageFor(m => m.SomeField)</div>

<!-- Bootstrap feedback span: -->
<span class="glyphicon form-control-feedback"></span>

Add the following to the relevant controller action to add server-side validation:

if (!ModelState.IsValid)
{
    return View(model);
}
else
{
    // continue with action
}

Example input that requires validation

Model:

[Required(ErrorMessage = "This field is required.")
[StringLength(maximumLength: 10, ErrorMessage = "This field must be 10 characters or less.")]
public string SomeRequiredField { get; set; }

View:

<div class="form-group has-feedback">
    <div class="col-md-4">
        @Html.LabelFor(m => m.SomeRequiredField, new { @class = "control-label" })
    </div>
    <div class="col-md-8">
        @Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.SomeRequiredField, new { @class = "form-control" })
        <div class="text-danger">@Html.ValidationMessageFor(m => m.SomeRequiredField)</div>
        <span class="glyphicon form-control-feedback"></span>
    </div>
</div>

Optional

Add the following jQuery to validate inputs on blur, as well as on submit:

$('input').on('blur', function () {
    $(this).valid();
});