Data Validation Class

After having several problems regarding null I have decided to do the right thing and create a Data Validation Class. What this class does is check each data before I use it for null.

If this is the first time you hear about null there is some basic things to learn:

• A null value is a value that doesn't refer to any object. It's the default value of reference-type variables (e.g., class, interface, and delegate).
• The null keyword is a literal that represents a null reference with the .NET environment. 
• There is a difference between null and '0' the value.
• Null is nothing where '0' is assigned as a value. 

To start out create a new class in your project, in my case my class is called DataVal.vb

Working with a database I prefered to assign '0' to all my null values if they are numeric.

I later on run a query that searches my tables for the '0' records and then remove them.

"DELETE * From Table WHERE Field = 0 "

This however depends on the function of your tables and program.

This is the code used in my class:

Public Class DataVal
    Public Function Validate(ByVal input)
        If input = Nothing Then
            input = "0"
            Return input
        End If
        Return input
    End Function
End Class

DV = DataValidate class....

Use this function to set the value of your object, eg. txtName.Text = (DV.Validate(txtName.Text))

It works for integers, doubles basically all data types.

Please comment your solution to validate data.