Input controls are used to ensure that data entered into a system is correct, complete, and secure. Input controls can help the flow of data in a database be the same format and easy to understand. There are many input controls, however the document goes into details about four types of input controls which are: input mask, validation rules, source documents and batch input. Without input controls, data integrity errors could occur which could cause incorrect information in the database. There are advantages and disadvantages to limiting user interfaces to limit a person's ability to type too much information or perhaps not enough information. When you create a database to house large amounts of data and if many people have access to the database, people may type information differently than another person. Some people write the date as 2-09-12 while others might write it as 9 February 12. Input controls are used to make sure that people use the same format for all data entered into the database or convert all dates to the same format format as Feb 12, 2012. Input controls can also be predefined information that you insert into a form via a drop-down list or list box. For example, a drop-down list might contain a state divided into 5 regions, North, South, East, West, and Central. When data is entered, the person must choose the region where the information should be located in order to organize the data and complete the input form. “Data can be entered into a computer application via online manual input or via scheduled automated processing. The input control auditor should determine the adequacy of manual and automated controls over data input to ensure that data is input… to the center of the paper… data. Limiting form formats is also an advantage because the data entry format will be the same. The disadvantage would be that if a person is used to using a different format, the system would not accept the format and the user would have to re-enter the information causing some delay in processing the record until the user gets used to the company format. Works CitedAmas.syr.edu. 8 December 2011. Self-assessment of the application. Retrieved February 9, 2012, from http://amas.syr.edu/AMAS/display.cfm?content_ID=%23%28%28%25!%0AMcFarlane, Steve. January 9, 2011. Different types of source documents used in accounting. Retrieved February 10, 2012, from http://www.brighthub.com/office/finance/articles/102265.aspxNoyes, Brian. June 2010. Applying complex rules to business data with WPF. Retrieved February 9, 2012, from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ff714593.aspx