{"id":2553,"date":"2021-03-24T13:36:19","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T13:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/?p=2553"},"modified":"2021-06-23T03:25:06","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T03:25:06","slug":"data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Data Validation Testing Tools &#038; Techniques: Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Data validation<\/strong> is important to ensure your data is correct before using it in any process, so we\u2019ll also get an accurate result from the process and can achieve the objective.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Data validation<\/strong>, by definition, is a method to check (<em>validate<\/em>) the accuracy and quality of data. It is also called <em>data cleansing<\/em> or <em>data cleaning <\/em>due to the fact the purpose is to ensure the data is \u2018clean\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Here, we will explain several <strong>data validation testing tools and techniques<\/strong>, but let us begin with why data validation is necessary.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_53 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-655dd58a1a35a\"><span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-655dd58a1a35a\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#Common_Causes_Of_Data_Errors_And_Losses_Why_Data_Validation_Is_Needed\" title=\"Common Causes Of Data Errors And Losses: Why Data Validation Is Needed\">Common Causes Of Data Errors And Losses: Why Data Validation Is Needed<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#1_Human_Error\" title=\"1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Human Error\">1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Human Error<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#2_Malicious_Bots\" title=\"2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Malicious Bots\">2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Malicious Bots<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#3_Physical_Damages_And_Losses\" title=\"3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Physical Damages And Losses\">3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Physical Damages And Losses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#4_Software_Corruption\" title=\"4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Software Corruption\">4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Software Corruption<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#5_Hacking_And_Insider_Attacks\" title=\"5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hacking And Insider Attacks\">5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hacking And Insider Attacks<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#Different_data_Validation_Tools_and_Techniques\" title=\"Different data Validation Tools and Techniques\">Different data Validation Tools and Techniques<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#1_Scripting_Technique\" title=\"1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scripting Technique\">1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scripting Technique<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#2_Using_Open-Source_Tools\" title=\"2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Using Open-Source Tools\">2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Using Open-Source Tools<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#3_Enterprise_and_Premium_Tools\" title=\"3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Enterprise and Premium Tools\">3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Enterprise and Premium Tools<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#Typical_Process_in_Data_Validation\" title=\"Typical Process in Data Validation\">Typical Process in Data Validation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/data-validation-testing-tools-techniques-explained\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Causes_Of_Data_Errors_And_Losses_Why_Data_Validation_Is_Needed\"><\/span>Common Causes Of Data Errors And Losses: Why Data Validation Is Needed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Data errors and losses can be caused by many different factors, and each cause might create unique challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Below are some of the most common causes of data errors and losses:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Human_Error\"><\/span>1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Human Error<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Human error remains the leading cause of data errors. Employees might input the wrong data, overwrite or even delete important data, physically losing the hard drive, damaging the hard drive (i.e. with liquid spills), software corruption due to misuse, and so on.<\/p>\n<p>An important factor (besides implementing data validation) in preventing human error is to conduct proper and regular training.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Malicious_Bots\"><\/span>2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Malicious Bots<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Malicious bots can inject virus\/malware, attempt data breaches to modify, steal, or delete data, and perform other <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/cybersecurity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cyber attack<\/a><\/strong> vectors related to data breach and data manipulation.<\/p>\n<p>To tackle this issue, the organization must perform cybersecurity best practices such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Installing adequate antivirus\/anti-malware software, preferably those with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/techbeacon.com\/security\/antivirus-dead-how-ai-machine-learning-will-drive-cybersecurity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AI-based protection<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>With most cybersecurity threats related to data breaches being performed by bots, a credential stuffing prevention solution by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/datadome.co\/credential-stuffing-protection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DataDome<\/a><\/strong> is a necessity.<\/li>\n<li>Regular training and education for employees so they can recognize common cybersecurity attacks (i.e. phishing) and how to handle them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Physical_Damages_And_Losses\"><\/span>3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Physical Damages And Losses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Data loss can also occur due to hardware damages and losses, with the primary perpetrator being the hard drive (or devices containing hard drive). Laptop or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/websnipers.com\/4k-ultra-hd-tablets-are-they-worth-to-buy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tablet<\/a><\/strong> theft, for example, is a serious threat and the perpetrator can modify and even delete your data when these devices aren\u2019t properly protected.<\/p>\n<p>Hard drives, on the other hand, are the most fragile parts of computers and can often be damaged due to human misuse or mechanical issues.<\/p>\n<p>Besides making sure you work with your device appropriately and carefully to protect it from damages and thefts, backup your data regularly.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Software_Corruption\"><\/span>4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Software Corruption<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Software corruption<\/strong> can cause serious data errors and losses, and in severe cases, you might not be able to run the software due to serious corruption, and you won\u2019t be able to access data stored in the software. Update your software regularly, and avoid improper shutdowns.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Hacking_And_Insider_Attacks\"><\/span>5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hacking And Insider Attacks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Hackers can gain access and manipulate\/delete your data with various methods, and you should:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use strong and unique passwords at all times<\/li>\n<li>Ensure adequate firewalls are in place when accessing untrusted external networks<\/li>\n<li>Use servers and hosting services with adequate security<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Different_data_Validation_Tools_and_Techniques\"><\/span>Different data Validation Tools and Techniques<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are several techniques and tools available in performing data validation process, each with its unique features that can cater to specific types of needs:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Scripting_Technique\"><\/span>1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scripting Technique<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In this data validation technique, the process is performed by using a programming script to perform the validation process. The script can be written with various programming languages, for example, Python.<\/p>\n<p>This technique provides the most versatility since you can write any script depending on the data\u2019s needs. However, it is also the most time-consuming since you\u2019ll need to write and validate the script yourself.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Using_Open-Source_Tools\"><\/span>2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Using Open-Source Tools<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We can use open-source tools like <strong>SourceForge, Valideer, Cerberus<\/strong>, and others to perform cloud-based validation processes.<\/p>\n<p>The main advantage of using these tools is that they are cost-effective and even totally free, but this method would require adequate coding skills and knowledge to perform the validation effectively.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Enterprise_and_Premium_Tools\"><\/span>3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Enterprise and Premium Tools<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There are various premium data validation tools available in the market, and typically they are focused in giving the users simplicity and ease of use. However, they are also typically the most expensive and you may need to invest in the required infrastructure before you can use them.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Typical_Process_in_Data_Validation\"><\/span>Typical Process in Data Validation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While the actual process of data validation may vary depending on the types of data validated and the techniques\/tools used, the typical process will involve the following steps:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 1: Define The Dataset<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If your dataset is fairly small (when compared to the available data validation tools), then you can use the complete dataset. However, if you have a large amount of data, you need to define a valid sample. You can check <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/introbusinessstatopenstax\/chapter\/data-sampling-and-variation-in-data-and-sampling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this guide on how to perform data sampling <\/a><\/strong>and determine the volume.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 2: Database Validation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to ensure that all the requirements are already met by the database to ensure a valid comparison of target and source data fields.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 3: Validating Data Format<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Checking the data for incorrect formats, duplicated data, null field values, and other types of errors.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Data validation<\/strong> is extremely important to ensure the accuracy of data so we can also ensure the process using the data can achieve the intended objective. Every <strong>data validation technique has its own benefits<\/strong>, as well as disadvantages, so it\u2019s important to first understand your type of data and your specific needs in performing data validation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data validation is important to ensure your data is correct before using it in any<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2554,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[252],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v15.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Data Validation | Data Validation Testing Tools &amp; Techniques: Explained<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Data validation is important to ensure your data is correct before using it in any process, so we\u2019ll also get an accurate result from the\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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