Validation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The word validation has several uses:

• In general, validation is the process of checking if something satisfies a certain criterion. Examples would be: checking if a statement is true (validity), if an appliance works as intended, if a computer system is secure, or if computer data are compliant with an open standard. This should not be confused with verification. Also it implies to be able to testify that a solution or process is correct or compliant with set standards or rules. A fun way of remembering the difference between validation and verification is that validation is ensuring "you built the right product" and verification is ensuring "you built the product right."
• To declare or make legally valid, to prove valid or confirm the validity of data, information or processes.
• In Computer Programming Terminology, validation refers to the process of controlling that data inserted into an application satisfies pre determined formats or complies with stated length and character requirements and other defined input criteria.
• In computer security, validation also refers to the process of verifying that a user or computer program is allowed to do something.
• In psychology and human communication, validation is the communication of respect for a communication partner, which involves the acknowledgement that the other's opinions are legitimate.
• In the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, Validation (drug manufacture) refers to establishing documented evidence that a process or system, when operated within established parameters, can perform effectively and reproducibly to produce a medicinal product meeting its pre-determined specifications and quality attributes (from European Union Good Manufacturing Practices Guide, Annex 15). Regulatory bodies in the U.S., European Union, and Japan (amongst many others) require Validation causing it to become its own sub-industry supporting the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries.