formatkontroller

Formatkontroller is a term used in information technology to describe methods and tools that verify whether data or content adheres to a predefined format. The goal is to detect and reject input that does not conform to expected patterns, delimiters, or syntax before further processing. Formats can include dates, numbers, identifiers, file types, or structured data such as JSON, XML, or CSV records.

Formatkontroller can operate at multiple layers, including user interfaces during data entry, application programming interfaces (APIs) when requests are received, database imports, and data pipelines in ETL processes. Typical techniques include regular expressions, parsing and type conversion, and schema-based validators. For structured data, validators enforce a schema using technologies such as JSON Schema, XML Schema, or CSV dialect rules; for human-entered data, client-side or server-side form validation is common.

Important considerations include locale-specific formats (dates, numbers), ambiguous inputs, and evolving specifications. Performance can be a concern when validating large datasets or complex schemas, and good formatkontroller should provide clear error messages and robust logging to aid users and operators. They also support interoperability by ensuring that downstream systems receive data in recognizable forms.

See also data validation, schema validation, input validation, data quality.