How to make javax validation only display one error message

Question

Say I have validation on a field like this:

@NotEmpty
@Digits(integer = 3, fraction = 0)
private String code;

Using Spring MVC and Hibernate validation currently I get both messages if I leave the form field blank. Is there a way to only display the @NotEmpty message?

Answer 1

If you want to stick to the Bean Validation Specification you need to use a group sequence. Only a groups sequence guarantees an ordered constraint evaluation which stops on the first error. Something like:

@GroupSequence({ First.class, Second.class })
public class MyBean {
   @NotEmpty(groups = First.class)
   @Digits(integer = 3, fraction = 0, groups = Second.class)
   private String code;
}