Enforcing "You must agree" requirements in forms

Checkboxes have two possible values, true and false, but some applications require that the user select one particular value before proceeding. Examples might be:

  • I agree to the terms and conditions
  • I agree not to ship these goods into a terrorist country
  • I agree that Yii is the best MVC framework ever
  • I am over 18 years of age

In this case, the checkbox (implemented in the usual way in a form) warrants a validator that enforces this condition, and it can be done with the built-in compare validator along with a custom message:

Here, the model's iagree attribute (which could be named anything as your database or form dictate) can be attached to a form, and validation will be applied to it:

class SomeModel extends CActiveRecord {
    ...
    public function rules()
    {
        array('iagree', 'compare', 'compareValue' => true, 
              'message' => 'You must agree to the terms and conditions' ),
        ...
    }
    ...
}

Be sure to change the message to more precisely reflect what the user is agreeing to, as well as to provide an error label in the form.