Should validation messages contain punctuation?

Question

When building an application should all validation messages have punctuation?

What is this question about? I don't understand it. Is it to much to ask for an example? — Martin Wickman, Mar 04 '11 at 20:54
@Martin Wickman I think he means: "Error: please enter your first name" versus "Error: please enter your first name." Notice the period in the second statement. — davidhaskins, Mar 04 '11 at 21:03
@davidhaskins or even "Please enter your first name" instead of "Error: please enter your first name" — jamiebarrow, Mar 18 '11 at 07:00

score 22 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 04 '11 at 20:12

22

Validation messages should be clear, consistent, and literate. Punctuation can be used to accomplish these ends.

answered Mar 04 '11 at 20:12

John

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+2 for literate. Personally, I think whole, punctuated sentences communicate most effectively. – KeithS Mar 04 '11 at 22:07

score 10 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 04 '11 at 20:42

10

I prefer punctuation, but I was a literature major and a technical writer before I became a programmer. As long as the message is unambiguous, I don't insist on punctuation.

Incorrect punctuation, typos and bad grammar, on the other hand, I do not tolerate.

answered Mar 04 '11 at 20:42

PSU

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... and BE CONSISTENT! If you use punctuation in one message, use it in every message. – Jeff Knecht Mar 04 '11 at 23:05
I'm old enough to be unsure of the meaning of this, but anyway: "W00t"! – PSU Mar 05 '11 at 02:18

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 04 '11 at 23:22

I agree with the answers already given - as long as the messages are clear and consistent, with or without punctuations, it should really be a matter of taste.

The only hazard, I suppose, with ending the messages with punctuation is that you might forgot that you've already given it previously and add it again as the message progresses. Thus in the end the message may end up with multiple punctuations.

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 18 '11 at 07:09

Regarding duplicate punctuation, you could use a utility to build up messages, and it could check if there is duplicate punctuation?

If you use a common utility to build your messages (whatever their type: info, error, etc.) then perhaps it could help? Then you have consistency at least. You could enforce a contract that any message that is returned from the utility is a complete sentence, ending in a full-stop. The same utility could be used to concatenate messages - adding a space if there's a message already present. Only thing is the utility could become quite a big thing.

Another thing to worry about is internationalization. You'd want to stay consistent among not only different messages in one language that your software uses, but in all languages.

And if it's possible, a picture is worth a thousand words, and if the same message could be provided in a picture, then I think it may be even more useful than a message. Kinda like road signs.

Should validation messages contain punctuation?

4 Answers4