# Reporting Form Errors

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/reporting-form-errors/89080>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [March 17, 2007, 12:44am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/reporting-form-errors/89080 "2007-03-17T00:44:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![doug](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@doug](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/doug)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 12:44am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/reporting-form-errors/89080/1 "2007-03-17T00:44:05Z")

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Sometimes I pass values from a form to its associated  
action by assigning that value to hidden field in the form.  
The intention is to use the passed value to modify the  
behavior of the action. So, it’s sort of a configuration  
option for the action. Sometimes I want to insist that  
a particular hidden field be present and/or insist that  
its value meet some criteria. If it doesn’t, I want to  
produce an error message. I notice that Rails has its  
own excellent error messaging system. I’m wondering  
whether this is something I should try to tap into or  
should I attempt to create my own? Any guiding  
comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

```
 ... doug
```