Backport v7 updates

backporting v7 updates for the near released v7.

README.md

@@ -192,24 +192,28 @@ NOTE: allocations for structs are up from v5, however ns/op for parallel operati
 It was a decicion not to cache struct info because although it reduced allocation to v5 levels, it
 hurt parallel performance too much.
 ```go
-$ go test -cpu=4 -bench=. -benchmem=true
+ go test -cpu=4 -bench=. -benchmem=true
 PASS
-BenchmarkFieldSuccess-4	 					 5000000	       318 ns/op	      16 B/op	       1 allocs/op
-BenchmarkFieldFailure-4	 					 5000000	       316 ns/op	      16 B/op	       1 allocs/op
-BenchmarkFieldCustomTypeSuccess-4	 		 3000000	       492 ns/op	      32 B/op	       2 allocs/op
-BenchmarkFieldCustomTypeFailure-4	 		 2000000	       843 ns/op	     416 B/op	       6 allocs/op
-BenchmarkFieldOrTagSuccess-4	  			  500000	      2384 ns/op	      20 B/op	       2 allocs/op
-BenchmarkFieldOrTagFailure-4	 			 1000000	      1295 ns/op	     384 B/op	       6 allocs/op
-BenchmarkStructSimpleSuccess-4	 			 1000000	      1175 ns/op	      24 B/op	       3 allocs/op
-BenchmarkStructSimpleFailure-4	 			 1000000	      1822 ns/op	     529 B/op	      11 allocs/op
-BenchmarkStructSimpleCustomTypeSuccess-4	 1000000	      1302 ns/op	      56 B/op	       5 allocs/op
-BenchmarkStructSimpleCustomTypeFailure-4	 1000000	      1847 ns/op	     577 B/op	      13 allocs/op
-BenchmarkStructSimpleSuccessParallel-4	 	 5000000	       339 ns/op	      24 B/op	       3 allocs/op
-BenchmarkStructSimpleFailureParallel-4	 	 2000000	       733 ns/op	     529 B/op	      11 allocs/op
-BenchmarkStructComplexSuccess-4	  			  200000	      7104 ns/op	     368 B/op	      30 allocs/op
-BenchmarkStructComplexFailure-4	  			  100000	     11996 ns/op	    2861 B/op	      72 allocs/op
-BenchmarkStructComplexSuccessParallel-4	 	 1000000	      2252 ns/op	     368 B/op	      30 allocs/op
-BenchmarkStructComplexFailureParallel-4	  	  300000	      4691 ns/op	    2862 B/op	      72 allocs/op
+BenchmarkFieldSuccess-4	 					 5000000	       337 ns/op	      16 B/op	       1 allocs/op
+BenchmarkFieldFailure-4	 					 5000000	       331 ns/op	      16 B/op	       1 allocs/op
+BenchmarkFieldCustomTypeSuccess-4	 		 3000000	       497 ns/op	      32 B/op	       2 allocs/op
+BenchmarkFieldCustomTypeFailure-4	 		 2000000	       842 ns/op	     416 B/op	       6 allocs/op
+BenchmarkFieldOrTagSuccess-4	  			  500000	      2432 ns/op	      20 B/op	       2 allocs/op
+BenchmarkFieldOrTagFailure-4	 			 1000000	      1323 ns/op	     384 B/op	       6 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructSimpleCustomTypeSuccess-4	 1000000	      1409 ns/op	      56 B/op	       5 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructSimpleCustomTypeFailure-4	 1000000	      1876 ns/op	     577 B/op	      13 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructPartialSuccess-4	 			 1000000	      1438 ns/op	     384 B/op	      13 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructPartialFailure-4	 			 1000000	      2040 ns/op	     785 B/op	      18 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructExceptSuccess-4	 			 1000000	      1000 ns/op	     368 B/op	      11 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructExceptFailure-4	 			 1000000	      1431 ns/op	     384 B/op	      13 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructSimpleSuccess-4	 			 1000000	      1375 ns/op	      24 B/op	       3 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructSimpleFailure-4	 			 1000000	      1893 ns/op	     529 B/op	      11 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructSimpleSuccessParallel-4	 	 5000000	       362 ns/op	      24 B/op	       3 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructSimpleFailureParallel-4	 	 2000000	       883 ns/op	     529 B/op	      11 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructComplexSuccess-4	  			  200000	      8237 ns/op	     368 B/op	      30 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructComplexFailure-4	  			  100000	     12617 ns/op	    2861 B/op	      72 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructComplexSuccessParallel-4	 	 1000000	      2398 ns/op	     368 B/op	      30 allocs/op
+BenchmarkStructComplexFailureParallel-4	  	  300000	      5733 ns/op	    2862 B/op	      72 allocs/op
 ```
 
 How to Contribute

baked_in.go

@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"net/url"
 	"reflect"
-	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 	"unicode/utf8"
@@ -902,39 +901,3 @@ func hasMaxOf(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.Value, field reflec
 
 	return isLte(topStruct, currentStruct, field, fieldType, fieldKind, param)
 }
-
-// asInt retuns the parameter as a int64
-// or panics if it can't convert
-func asInt(param string) int64 {
-
-	i, err := strconv.ParseInt(param, 0, 64)
-	panicIf(err)
-
-	return i
-}
-
-// asUint returns the parameter as a uint64
-// or panics if it can't convert
-func asUint(param string) uint64 {
-
-	i, err := strconv.ParseUint(param, 0, 64)
-	panicIf(err)
-
-	return i
-}
-
-// asFloat returns the parameter as a float64
-// or panics if it can't convert
-func asFloat(param string) float64 {
-
-	i, err := strconv.ParseFloat(param, 64)
-	panicIf(err)
-
-	return i
-}
-
-func panicIf(err error) {
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err.Error())
-	}
-}

benchmarks_test.go

@@ -62,34 +62,6 @@ func BenchmarkFieldOrTagFailure(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkStructSimpleSuccess(b *testing.B) {
-
-	type Foo struct {
-		StringValue string `validate:"min=5,max=10"`
-		IntValue    int    `validate:"min=5,max=10"`
-	}
-
-	validFoo := &Foo{StringValue: "Foobar", IntValue: 7}
-
-	for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
-		validate.Struct(validFoo)
-	}
-}
-
-func BenchmarkStructSimpleFailure(b *testing.B) {
-
-	type Foo struct {
-		StringValue string `validate:"min=5,max=10"`
-		IntValue    int    `validate:"min=5,max=10"`
-	}
-
-	invalidFoo := &Foo{StringValue: "Fo", IntValue: 3}
-
-	for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
-		validate.Struct(invalidFoo)
-	}
-}
-
 func BenchmarkStructSimpleCustomTypeSuccess(b *testing.B) {
 
 	customTypes := map[reflect.Type]CustomTypeFunc{}
@@ -136,6 +108,98 @@ func BenchmarkStructSimpleCustomTypeFailure(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
+func BenchmarkStructPartialSuccess(b *testing.B) {
+
+	type Test struct {
+		Name     string `validate:"required"`
+		NickName string `validate:"required"`
+	}
+
+	test := &Test{
+		Name: "Joey Bloggs",
+	}
+
+	for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
+		validate.StructPartial(test, "Name")
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkStructPartialFailure(b *testing.B) {
+
+	type Test struct {
+		Name     string `validate:"required"`
+		NickName string `validate:"required"`
+	}
+
+	test := &Test{
+		Name: "Joey Bloggs",
+	}
+
+	for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
+		validate.StructPartial(test, "NickName")
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkStructExceptSuccess(b *testing.B) {
+
+	type Test struct {
+		Name     string `validate:"required"`
+		NickName string `validate:"required"`
+	}
+
+	test := &Test{
+		Name: "Joey Bloggs",
+	}
+
+	for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
+		validate.StructPartial(test, "Nickname")
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkStructExceptFailure(b *testing.B) {
+
+	type Test struct {
+		Name     string `validate:"required"`
+		NickName string `validate:"required"`
+	}
+
+	test := &Test{
+		Name: "Joey Bloggs",
+	}
+
+	for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
+		validate.StructPartial(test, "Name")
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkStructSimpleSuccess(b *testing.B) {
+
+	type Foo struct {
+		StringValue string `validate:"min=5,max=10"`
+		IntValue    int    `validate:"min=5,max=10"`
+	}
+
+	validFoo := &Foo{StringValue: "Foobar", IntValue: 7}
+
+	for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
+		validate.Struct(validFoo)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkStructSimpleFailure(b *testing.B) {
+
+	type Foo struct {
+		StringValue string `validate:"min=5,max=10"`
+		IntValue    int    `validate:"min=5,max=10"`
+	}
+
+	invalidFoo := &Foo{StringValue: "Fo", IntValue: 3}
+
+	for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
+		validate.Struct(invalidFoo)
+	}
+}
+
 func BenchmarkStructSimpleSuccessParallel(b *testing.B) {
 
 	type Foo struct {

util.go

@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+package validator
+
+import (
+	"reflect"
+	"strconv"
+)
+
+const (
+	namespaceSeparator = "."
+	leftBracket        = "["
+	rightBracket       = "]"
+)
+
+func (v *Validate) extractType(current reflect.Value) (reflect.Value, reflect.Kind) {
+
+	switch current.Kind() {
+	case reflect.Ptr:
+
+		if current.IsNil() {
+			return current, reflect.Ptr
+		}
+
+		return v.extractType(current.Elem())
+
+	case reflect.Interface:
+
+		if current.IsNil() {
+			return current, reflect.Interface
+		}
+
+		return v.extractType(current.Elem())
+
+	case reflect.Invalid:
+		return current, reflect.Invalid
+
+	default:
+
+		if v.config.hasCustomFuncs {
+			if fn, ok := v.config.CustomTypeFuncs[current.Type()]; ok {
+				return v.extractType(reflect.ValueOf(fn(current)))
+			}
+		}
+
+		return current, current.Kind()
+	}
+}
+
+// asInt retuns the parameter as a int64
+// or panics if it can't convert
+func asInt(param string) int64 {
+
+	i, err := strconv.ParseInt(param, 0, 64)
+	panicIf(err)
+
+	return i
+}
+
+// asUint returns the parameter as a uint64
+// or panics if it can't convert
+func asUint(param string) uint64 {
+
+	i, err := strconv.ParseUint(param, 0, 64)
+	panicIf(err)
+
+	return i
+}
+
+// asFloat returns the parameter as a float64
+// or panics if it can't convert
+func asFloat(param string) float64 {
+
+	i, err := strconv.ParseFloat(param, 64)
+	panicIf(err)
+
+	return i
+}
+
+func panicIf(err error) {
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err.Error())
+	}
+}

validator.go

@@ -38,10 +38,11 @@ const (
 )
 
 var (
-	timeType    = reflect.TypeOf(time.Time{})
-	timePtrType = reflect.TypeOf(&time.Time{})
-	errsPool    = &sync.Pool{New: newValidationErrors}
-	tagsCache   = &tagCacheMap{m: map[string][]*tagCache{}}
+	timeType       = reflect.TypeOf(time.Time{})
+	timePtrType    = reflect.TypeOf(&time.Time{})
+	errsPool       = &sync.Pool{New: newValidationErrors}
+	tagsCache      = &tagCacheMap{m: map[string][]*tagCache{}}
+	emptyStructPtr = new(struct{})
 )
 
 // returns new ValidationErrors to the pool
@@ -180,7 +181,7 @@ func (v *Validate) Field(field interface{}, tag string) ValidationErrors {
 	errs := errsPool.Get().(ValidationErrors)
 	fieldVal := reflect.ValueOf(field)
 
-	v.traverseField(fieldVal, fieldVal, fieldVal, "", errs, false, tag, "")
+	v.traverseField(fieldVal, fieldVal, fieldVal, "", errs, false, tag, "", false, false, nil)
 
 	if len(errs) == 0 {
 		errsPool.Put(errs)
@@ -198,7 +199,92 @@ func (v *Validate) FieldWithValue(val interface{}, field interface{}, tag string
 	errs := errsPool.Get().(ValidationErrors)
 	topVal := reflect.ValueOf(val)
 
-	v.traverseField(topVal, topVal, reflect.ValueOf(field), "", errs, false, tag, "")
+	v.traverseField(topVal, topVal, reflect.ValueOf(field), "", errs, false, tag, "", false, false, nil)
+
+	if len(errs) == 0 {
+		errsPool.Put(errs)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return errs
+}
+
+// StructPartial validates the fields passed in only, ignoring all others.
+// Fields may be provided in a namespaced fashion relative to the  struct provided
+// i.e. NestedStruct.Field or NestedArrayField[0].Struct.Name
+// NOTE: This is normally not needed, however in some specific cases such as: tied to a
+// legacy data structure, it will be useful
+func (v *Validate) StructPartial(current interface{}, fields ...string) ValidationErrors {
+
+	sv, _ := v.extractType(reflect.ValueOf(current))
+	name := sv.Type().Name()
+	m := map[string]*struct{}{}
+
+	if fields != nil {
+		for _, k := range fields {
+
+			flds := strings.Split(k, namespaceSeparator)
+			if len(flds) > 0 {
+
+				key := name + namespaceSeparator
+				for _, s := range flds {
+
+					idx := strings.Index(s, leftBracket)
+
+					if idx != -1 {
+						for idx != -1 {
+							key += s[:idx]
+							m[key] = emptyStructPtr
+
+							idx2 := strings.Index(s, rightBracket)
+							idx2++
+							key += s[idx:idx2]
+							m[key] = emptyStructPtr
+							s = s[idx2:]
+							idx = strings.Index(s, leftBracket)
+						}
+					} else {
+
+						key += s
+						m[key] = emptyStructPtr
+					}
+
+					key += namespaceSeparator
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	errs := errsPool.Get().(ValidationErrors)
+
+	v.tranverseStruct(sv, sv, sv, "", errs, true, len(m) != 0, false, m)
+
+	if len(errs) == 0 {
+		errsPool.Put(errs)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return errs
+}
+
+// StructExcept validates all fields except the ones passed in.
+// Fields may be provided in a namespaced fashion relative to the  struct provided
+// i.e. NestedStruct.Field or NestedArrayField[0].Struct.Name
+// NOTE: This is normally not needed, however in some specific cases such as: tied to a
+// legacy data structure, it will be useful
+func (v *Validate) StructExcept(current interface{}, fields ...string) ValidationErrors {
+
+	sv, _ := v.extractType(reflect.ValueOf(current))
+	name := sv.Type().Name()
+	m := map[string]*struct{}{}
+
+	for _, key := range fields {
+		m[name+"."+key] = emptyStructPtr
+	}
+
+	errs := errsPool.Get().(ValidationErrors)
+
+	v.tranverseStruct(sv, sv, sv, "", errs, true, len(m) != 0, true, m)
 
 	if len(errs) == 0 {
 		errsPool.Put(errs)
@@ -214,7 +300,7 @@ func (v *Validate) Struct(current interface{}) ValidationErrors {
 	errs := errsPool.Get().(ValidationErrors)
 	sv := reflect.ValueOf(current)
 
-	v.tranverseStruct(sv, sv, sv, "", errs, true)
+	v.tranverseStruct(sv, sv, sv, "", errs, true, false, false, nil)
 
 	if len(errs) == 0 {
 		errsPool.Put(errs)
@@ -225,7 +311,7 @@ func (v *Validate) Struct(current interface{}) ValidationErrors {
 }
 
 // tranverseStruct traverses a structs fields and then passes them to be validated by traverseField
-func (v *Validate) tranverseStruct(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.Value, current reflect.Value, errPrefix string, errs ValidationErrors, useStructName bool) {
+func (v *Validate) tranverseStruct(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.Value, current reflect.Value, errPrefix string, errs ValidationErrors, useStructName bool, partial bool, exclude bool, includeExclude map[string]*struct{}) {
 
 	if current.Kind() == reflect.Ptr && !current.IsNil() {
 		current = current.Elem()
@@ -235,6 +321,7 @@ func (v *Validate) tranverseStruct(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflec
 		panic("value passed for validation is not a struct")
 	}
 
+	var ok bool
 	typ := current.Type()
 
 	if useStructName {
@@ -252,29 +339,31 @@ func (v *Validate) tranverseStruct(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflec
 			continue
 		}
 
-		v.traverseField(topStruct, currentStruct, current.Field(i), errPrefix, errs, true, fld.Tag.Get(v.config.TagName), fld.Name)
+		if partial {
+
+			_, ok = includeExclude[errPrefix+fld.Name]
+
+			if (ok && exclude) || (!ok && !exclude) {
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+
+		v.traverseField(topStruct, currentStruct, current.Field(i), errPrefix, errs, true, fld.Tag.Get(v.config.TagName), fld.Name, partial, exclude, includeExclude)
 	}
 }
 
 // traverseField validates any field, be it a struct or single field, ensures it's validity and passes it along to be validated via it's tag options
-func (v *Validate) traverseField(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.Value, current reflect.Value, errPrefix string, errs ValidationErrors, isStructField bool, tag string, name string) {
+func (v *Validate) traverseField(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.Value, current reflect.Value, errPrefix string, errs ValidationErrors, isStructField bool, tag string, name string, partial bool, exclude bool, includeExclude map[string]*struct{}) {
 
 	if tag == skipValidationTag {
 		return
 	}
 
-	kind := current.Kind()
-
-	if kind == reflect.Ptr && !current.IsNil() {
-		current = current.Elem()
-		kind = current.Kind()
-	}
-
-	// this also allows for tags 'required' and 'omitempty' to be used on
-	// nested struct fields because when len(tags) > 0 below and the value is nil
-	// then required failes and we check for omitempty just before that
-	if ((kind == reflect.Ptr || kind == reflect.Interface) && current.IsNil()) || kind == reflect.Invalid {
+	current, kind := v.extractType(current)
+	var typ reflect.Type
 
+	switch kind {
+	case reflect.Ptr, reflect.Interface, reflect.Invalid:
 		if strings.Contains(tag, omitempty) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -314,67 +403,29 @@ func (v *Validate) traverseField(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.
 		if kind == reflect.Invalid {
 			return
 		}
-	}
-
-	typ := current.Type()
-
-	switch kind {
-	case reflect.Struct, reflect.Interface:
-
-		if kind == reflect.Interface {
-
-			current = current.Elem()
-			kind = current.Kind()
-
-			if kind == reflect.Ptr && !current.IsNil() {
-				current = current.Elem()
-				kind = current.Kind()
-			}
-
-			// changed current, so have to get inner type again
-			typ = current.Type()
-
-			if kind != reflect.Struct {
-				goto FALLTHROUGH
-			}
-		}
 
-		if typ != timeType && typ != timePtrType {
+	case reflect.Struct:
+		typ = current.Type()
 
-			if kind == reflect.Struct {
+		if typ != timeType {
 
-				if v.config.hasCustomFuncs {
-					if fn, ok := v.config.CustomTypeFuncs[typ]; ok {
-						v.traverseField(topStruct, currentStruct, reflect.ValueOf(fn(current)), errPrefix, errs, isStructField, tag, name)
-						return
-					}
-				}
-
-				// required passed validation above so stop here
-				// if only validating the structs existance.
-				if strings.Contains(tag, structOnlyTag) {
-					return
-				}
-
-				v.tranverseStruct(topStruct, current, current, errPrefix+name+".", errs, false)
+			// required passed validation above so stop here
+			// if only validating the structs existance.
+			if strings.Contains(tag, structOnlyTag) {
 				return
 			}
-		}
-	FALLTHROUGH:
-		fallthrough
-	default:
-		if len(tag) == 0 {
+
+			v.tranverseStruct(topStruct, current, current, errPrefix+name+".", errs, false, partial, exclude, includeExclude)
 			return
 		}
 	}
 
-	if v.config.hasCustomFuncs {
-		if fn, ok := v.config.CustomTypeFuncs[typ]; ok {
-			v.traverseField(topStruct, currentStruct, reflect.ValueOf(fn(current)), errPrefix, errs, isStructField, tag, name)
-			return
-		}
+	if len(tag) == 0 {
+		return
 	}
 
+	typ = current.Type()
+
 	tags, isCached := tagsCache.Get(tag)
 
 	if !isCached {
@@ -447,9 +498,9 @@ func (v *Validate) traverseField(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.
 		// or panic ;)
 		switch kind {
 		case reflect.Slice, reflect.Array:
-			v.traverseSlice(topStruct, currentStruct, current, errPrefix, errs, diveSubTag, name)
+			v.traverseSlice(topStruct, currentStruct, current, errPrefix, errs, diveSubTag, name, partial, exclude, includeExclude)
 		case reflect.Map:
-			v.traverseMap(topStruct, currentStruct, current, errPrefix, errs, diveSubTag, name)
+			v.traverseMap(topStruct, currentStruct, current, errPrefix, errs, diveSubTag, name, partial, exclude, includeExclude)
 		default:
 			// throw error, if not a slice or map then should not have gotten here
 			// bad dive tag
@@ -459,18 +510,18 @@ func (v *Validate) traverseField(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.
 }
 
 // traverseSlice traverses a Slice or Array's elements and passes them to traverseField for validation
-func (v *Validate) traverseSlice(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.Value, current reflect.Value, errPrefix string, errs ValidationErrors, tag string, name string) {
+func (v *Validate) traverseSlice(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.Value, current reflect.Value, errPrefix string, errs ValidationErrors, tag string, name string, partial bool, exclude bool, includeExclude map[string]*struct{}) {
 
 	for i := 0; i < current.Len(); i++ {
-		v.traverseField(topStruct, currentStruct, current.Index(i), errPrefix, errs, false, tag, fmt.Sprintf(arrayIndexFieldName, name, i))
+		v.traverseField(topStruct, currentStruct, current.Index(i), errPrefix, errs, false, tag, fmt.Sprintf(arrayIndexFieldName, name, i), partial, exclude, includeExclude)
 	}
 }
 
 // traverseMap traverses a map's elements and passes them to traverseField for validation
-func (v *Validate) traverseMap(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.Value, current reflect.Value, errPrefix string, errs ValidationErrors, tag string, name string) {
+func (v *Validate) traverseMap(topStruct reflect.Value, currentStruct reflect.Value, current reflect.Value, errPrefix string, errs ValidationErrors, tag string, name string, partial bool, exclude bool, includeExclude map[string]*struct{}) {
 
 	for _, key := range current.MapKeys() {
-		v.traverseField(topStruct, currentStruct, current.MapIndex(key), errPrefix, errs, false, tag, fmt.Sprintf(mapIndexFieldName, name, key.Interface()))
+		v.traverseField(topStruct, currentStruct, current.MapIndex(key), errPrefix, errs, false, tag, fmt.Sprintf(mapIndexFieldName, name, key.Interface()), partial, exclude, includeExclude)
 	}
 }
 

validator_test.go

@@ -192,6 +192,237 @@ func ValidateValuerType(field reflect.Value) interface{} {
 	return nil
 }
 
+type TestPartial struct {
+	NoTag     string
+	BlankTag  string     `validate:""`
+	Required  string     `validate:"required"`
+	SubSlice  []*SubTest `validate:"required,dive"`
+	Sub       *SubTest
+	SubIgnore *SubTest `validate:"-"`
+	Anonymous struct {
+		A         string     `validate:"required"`
+		ASubSlice []*SubTest `validate:"required,dive"`
+
+		SubAnonStruct []struct {
+			Test      string `validate:"required"`
+			OtherTest string `validate:"required"`
+		} `validate:"required,dive"`
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStructPartial(t *testing.T) {
+
+	p1 := []string{
+		"NoTag",
+		"Required",
+	}
+
+	p2 := []string{
+		"SubSlice[0].Test",
+		"Sub",
+		"SubIgnore",
+		"Anonymous.A",
+	}
+
+	p3 := []string{
+		"SubTest.Test",
+	}
+
+	p4 := []string{
+		"A",
+	}
+
+	tPartial := &TestPartial{
+		NoTag:    "NoTag",
+		Required: "Required",
+
+		SubSlice: []*SubTest{
+			{
+
+				Test: "Required",
+			},
+			{
+
+				Test: "Required",
+			},
+		},
+
+		Sub: &SubTest{
+			Test: "1",
+		},
+		SubIgnore: &SubTest{
+			Test: "",
+		},
+		Anonymous: struct {
+			A             string     `validate:"required"`
+			ASubSlice     []*SubTest `validate:"required,dive"`
+			SubAnonStruct []struct {
+				Test      string `validate:"required"`
+				OtherTest string `validate:"required"`
+			} `validate:"required,dive"`
+		}{
+			A: "1",
+			ASubSlice: []*SubTest{
+				{
+					Test: "Required",
+				},
+				{
+					Test: "Required",
+				},
+			},
+
+			SubAnonStruct: []struct {
+				Test      string `validate:"required"`
+				OtherTest string `validate:"required"`
+			}{
+				{"Required", "RequiredOther"},
+				{"Required", "RequiredOther"},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	// the following should all return no errors as everything is valid in
+	// the default state
+	errs := validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p1...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p2...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	// this isnt really a robust test, but is ment to illustrate the ANON CASE below
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial.SubSlice[0], p3...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p1...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p2...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	// mod tParial for required feild and re-test making sure invalid fields are NOT required:
+	tPartial.Required = ""
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p1...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p2...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	// inversion and retesting Partial to generate failures:
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p1...)
+	NotEqual(t, errs, nil)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.Required", "Required", "required")
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p2...)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.Required", "Required", "required")
+
+	// reset Required field, and set nested struct
+	tPartial.Required = "Required"
+	tPartial.Anonymous.A = ""
+
+	// will pass as unset feilds is not going to be tested
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p1...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p2...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	// ANON CASE the response here is strange, it clearly does what it is being told to
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial.Anonymous, p4...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	// will fail as unset feild is tested
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p2...)
+	NotEqual(t, errs, nil)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.Anonymous.A", "A", "required")
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p1...)
+	NotEqual(t, errs, nil)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.Anonymous.A", "A", "required")
+
+	// reset nested struct and unset struct in slice
+	tPartial.Anonymous.A = "Required"
+	tPartial.SubSlice[0].Test = ""
+
+	// these will pass as unset item is NOT tested
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p1...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p2...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	// these will fail as unset item IS tested
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p1...)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.SubSlice[0].Test", "Test", "required")
+	Equal(t, len(errs), 1)
+
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p2...)
+	NotEqual(t, errs, nil)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.SubSlice[0].Test", "Test", "required")
+	Equal(t, len(errs), 1)
+
+	// Unset second slice member concurrently to test dive behavior:
+	tPartial.SubSlice[1].Test = ""
+
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p1...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	// NOTE: When specifying nested items, it is still the users responsibility
+	// to specify the dive tag, the library does not override this.
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p2...)
+	NotEqual(t, errs, nil)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.SubSlice[1].Test", "Test", "required")
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p1...)
+	Equal(t, len(errs), 2)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.SubSlice[0].Test", "Test", "required")
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.SubSlice[1].Test", "Test", "required")
+
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p2...)
+	NotEqual(t, errs, nil)
+	Equal(t, len(errs), 1)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.SubSlice[0].Test", "Test", "required")
+
+	// reset struct in slice, and unset struct in slice in unset posistion
+	tPartial.SubSlice[0].Test = "Required"
+
+	// these will pass as the unset item is NOT tested
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p1...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p2...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	// testing for missing item by exception, yes it dives and fails
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p1...)
+	NotEqual(t, errs, nil)
+	Equal(t, len(errs), 1)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.SubSlice[1].Test", "Test", "required")
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p2...)
+	NotEqual(t, errs, nil)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.SubSlice[1].Test", "Test", "required")
+
+	tPartial.SubSlice[1].Test = "Required"
+
+	tPartial.Anonymous.SubAnonStruct[0].Test = ""
+	// these will pass as the unset item is NOT tested
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p1...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	errs = validate.StructPartial(tPartial, p2...)
+	Equal(t, errs, nil)
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p1...)
+	NotEqual(t, errs, nil)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.Anonymous.SubAnonStruct[0].Test", "Test", "required")
+
+	errs = validate.StructExcept(tPartial, p2...)
+	NotEqual(t, errs, nil)
+	AssertError(t, errs, "TestPartial.Anonymous.SubAnonStruct[0].Test", "Test", "required")
+
+}
+
 func TestExistsValidation(t *testing.T) {
 
 	jsonText := "{ \"truthiness2\": true }"