validation in a script

[ppeffgra]

Im a beginner when it comes to scripting so please bear with me. I am trying to validate a field for uniqueness, but I want to do it using a script. I know you can validate fields using the options under Define Fields. What I currently have is a button that sets off a script which copies text and numbers from various fields and paste them into another regular field to create a unique name. My problem is that I need to verify that this name is not used in other records before the rest of the script can proceed. If I validate it using using Define Fields options the current script halts and allows the user to enter jibberish which is then accepted as a valid name (because it does not exist). This is why I would like to do it in a script. Something that will check for uniqueness and guide the user to enter the appropriate data until a valid and unique name is entered. The script I have now will guide the user to only uses correct data but I have not been able to get it to check other records for uniqueness. Any ideas??

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Vaughan]

Perform a find for the just-entered value. If more than one record is found, it's not unique.