[bv-dev] Method validation: Validation of getter constraints

Hi all, Another question with respect to method validation: Constraints at JavaBean getter methods can be interpreted as property-level bean constraint but also as method-level return value constraint. So they would be validated when calling Validator#validate() for the bean, but also when performing method-level validation when the getter is invoked by some code and the bean is enabled for method validation. My question is whether we need a way to further control the behavior here. In HV 4.2 getter constraints are considered in both cases, I think in OVal there is some way to specify the intended behavior. Possible options could be: #1 Handle getter constraints as property as well as return value constraints, don't provide means of configuration #2 Have an attribute in @MethodValidated (a.k.a. @ValidateGroups), e.g. use validationMode #3 Provide a dedicated annotation, e.g. @IgnoreForMethodValidation (handling getter constraints as property-level constraints needs to be the default to be compatible with current behavior) #4 Have a global option in bootstrap API, ValidatorFactory or Validator Personally I tend to think that #1 is enough, I don't really see the need for further configuration. Plus, validation groups could also be used. Any thoughts? --Gunnar