diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tools/parameters/validation.py b/lib/galaxy/tools/parameters/validation.py
index 4df3364011ec..e89b4bed574a 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tools/parameters/validation.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tools/parameters/validation.py
@@ -14,12 +14,6 @@
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-def get_test_fname(fname):
-    """Returns test data filename"""
-    path, name = os.path.split(__file__)
-    full_path = os.path.join(path, "test", fname)
-    return full_path
-
 
 class Validator(abc.ABC):
     """
@@ -86,45 +80,6 @@ def validate(self, value, trans=None, message=None, value_to_show=None):
 class RegexValidator(Validator):
     """
     Validator that evaluates a regular expression
-
-    >>> from galaxy.util import XML
-    >>> from galaxy.tools.parameters.basic import ToolParameter
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="text" value="10">
-    ...     <validator type="regex">[Ff]oo</validator>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate("Foo")
-    >>> t = p.validate("foo")
-    >>> t = p.validate("Fop")
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Value 'Fop' does not match regular expression '[Ff]oo'
-    >>> t = p.validate(["Foo", "foo"])
-    >>> t = p.validate(["Foo", "Fop"])
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Value 'Fop' does not match regular expression '[Ff]oo'
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="text" value="10">
-    ...     <validator type="regex" negate="true">[Ff]oo</validator>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate("Foo")
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Value 'Foo' does match regular expression '[Ff]oo'
-    >>> t = p.validate("foo")
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Value 'foo' does match regular expression '[Ff]oo'
-    >>> t = p.validate("Fop")
-    >>> t = p.validate(["Fop", "foo"])
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Value 'foo' does match regular expression '[Ff]oo'
-    >>> t = p.validate(["Fop", "Fop"])
     """
 
     @classmethod
@@ -175,40 +130,6 @@ def validate(self, value, trans=None):
 class InRangeValidator(ExpressionValidator):
     """
     Validator that ensures a number is in a specified range
-
-    >>> from galaxy.util import XML
-    >>> from galaxy.tools.parameters.basic import ToolParameter
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="integer" value="10">
-    ...     <validator type="in_range" message="Doh!! %s not in range" min="10" exclude_min="true" max="20"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate(10)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Doh!! 10 not in range
-    >>> t = p.validate(15)
-    >>> t = p.validate(20)
-    >>> t = p.validate(21)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Doh!! 21 not in range
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="integer" value="10">
-    ...     <validator type="in_range" min="10" exclude_min="true" max="20" negate="true"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate(10)
-    >>> t = p.validate(15)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Value ('15') must not fulfill float('10') < value <= float('20')
-    >>> t = p.validate(20)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Value ('20') must not fulfill float('10') < value <= float('20')
-    >>> t = p.validate(21)
     """
 
     @classmethod
@@ -251,40 +172,6 @@ def __init__(self, message, range_min, range_max, exclude_min=False, exclude_max
 class LengthValidator(InRangeValidator):
     """
     Validator that ensures the length of the provided string (value) is in a specific range
-
-    >>> from galaxy.util import XML
-    >>> from galaxy.tools.parameters.basic import ToolParameter
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="text" value="foobar">
-    ...     <validator type="length" min="2" max="8"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate("foo")
-    >>> t = p.validate("bar")
-    >>> t = p.validate("f")
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Must have length of at least 2 and at most 8
-    >>> t = p.validate("foobarbaz")
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Must have length of at least 2 and at most 8
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="text" value="foobar">
-    ...     <validator type="length" min="2" max="8" negate="true"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate("foo")
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Must not have length of at least 2 and at most 8
-    >>> t = p.validate("bar")
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Must not have length of at least 2 and at most 8
-    >>> t = p.validate("f")
-    >>> t = p.validate("foobarbaz")
     """
 
     @classmethod
@@ -303,44 +190,6 @@ def validate(self, value, trans=None):
 class DatasetOkValidator(Validator):
     """
     Validator that checks if a dataset is in an 'ok' state
-
-    >>> from galaxy.datatypes.registry import example_datatype_registry_for_sample
-    >>> from galaxy.model import History, HistoryDatasetAssociation, set_datatypes_registry
-    >>> from galaxy.model.mapping import init
-    >>> from galaxy.util import XML
-    >>> from galaxy.tools.parameters.basic import ToolParameter
-    >>>
-    >>> sa_session = init("/tmp", "sqlite:///:memory:", create_tables=True).session
-    >>> hist = History()
-    >>> with sa_session.begin():
-    ...     sa_session.add(hist)
-    >>> set_datatypes_registry(example_datatype_registry_for_sample())
-    >>> ok_hda = hist.add_dataset(HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=1, extension='interval', create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session))
-    >>> ok_hda.set_dataset_state(model.Dataset.states.OK)
-    >>> notok_hda = hist.add_dataset(HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=2, extension='interval', create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session))
-    >>> notok_hda.set_dataset_state(model.Dataset.states.EMPTY)
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="data" no_validation="true">
-    ...     <validator type="dataset_ok_validator"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate(ok_hda)
-    >>> t = p.validate(notok_hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: The selected dataset is still being generated, select another dataset or wait until it is completed
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="data" no_validation="true">
-    ...     <validator type="dataset_ok_validator" negate="true"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate(ok_hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: The selected dataset must not be in state OK
-    >>> t = p.validate(notok_hda)
     """
 
     @classmethod
@@ -362,44 +211,6 @@ def validate(self, value, trans=None):
 class DatasetEmptyValidator(Validator):
     """
     Validator that checks if a dataset has a positive file size.
-
-    >>> from galaxy.datatypes.registry import example_datatype_registry_for_sample
-    >>> from galaxy.model import Dataset, History, HistoryDatasetAssociation, set_datatypes_registry
-    >>> from galaxy.model.mapping import init
-    >>> from galaxy.util import XML
-    >>> from galaxy.tools.parameters.basic import ToolParameter
-    >>>
-    >>> sa_session = init("/tmp", "sqlite:///:memory:", create_tables=True).session
-    >>> hist = History()
-    >>> with sa_session.begin():
-    ...     sa_session.add(hist)
-    >>> set_datatypes_registry(example_datatype_registry_for_sample())
-    >>> empty_dataset = Dataset(external_filename=get_test_fname("empty.txt"))
-    >>> empty_hda = hist.add_dataset(HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=1, extension='interval', dataset=empty_dataset, sa_session=sa_session))
-    >>> full_dataset = Dataset(external_filename=get_test_fname("1.tabular"))
-    >>> full_hda = hist.add_dataset(HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=2, extension='interval', dataset=full_dataset, sa_session=sa_session))
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="data">
-    ...     <validator type="empty_dataset"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate(full_hda)
-    >>> t = p.validate(empty_hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: The selected dataset is empty, this tool expects non-empty files.
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="data">
-    ...     <validator type="empty_dataset" negate="true"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate(full_hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: The selected dataset is non-empty, this tool expects empty files.
-    >>> t = p.validate(empty_hda)
     """
 
     @classmethod
@@ -411,6 +222,8 @@ def from_element(cls, param, elem):
         return cls(message, negate)
 
     def validate(self, value, trans=None):
+        print(f"value {value}")
+        print(f"value {value.get_size()}")
         if value:
             super().validate(value.get_size() != 0)
 
@@ -418,46 +231,6 @@ def validate(self, value, trans=None):
 class DatasetExtraFilesPathEmptyValidator(Validator):
     """
     Validator that checks if a dataset's extra_files_path exists and is not empty.
-
-    >>> from galaxy.datatypes.registry import example_datatype_registry_for_sample
-    >>> from galaxy.model import History, HistoryDatasetAssociation, set_datatypes_registry
-    >>> from galaxy.model.mapping import init
-    >>> from galaxy.util import XML
-    >>> from galaxy.tools.parameters.basic import ToolParameter
-    >>>
-    >>> sa_session = init("/tmp", "sqlite:///:memory:", create_tables=True).session
-    >>> hist = History()
-    >>> with sa_session.begin():
-    ...     sa_session.add(hist)
-    >>> set_datatypes_registry(example_datatype_registry_for_sample())
-    >>> has_extra_hda = hist.add_dataset(HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=1, extension='interval', create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session))
-    >>> has_extra_hda.dataset.file_size = 10
-    >>> has_extra_hda.dataset.total_size = 15
-    >>> has_no_extra_hda = hist.add_dataset(HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=2, extension='interval', create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session))
-    >>> has_no_extra_hda.dataset.file_size = 10
-    >>> has_no_extra_hda.dataset.total_size = 10
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="data">
-    ...     <validator type="empty_extra_files_path"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate(has_extra_hda)
-    >>> t = p.validate(has_no_extra_hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: The selected dataset's extra_files_path directory is empty or does not exist, this tool expects non-empty extra_files_path directories associated with the selected input.
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="data">
-    ...     <validator type="empty_extra_files_path" negate="true"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate(has_extra_hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: The selected dataset's extra_files_path directory is non-empty or does exist, this tool expects empty extra_files_path directories associated with the selected input.
-    >>> t = p.validate(has_no_extra_hda)
     """
 
     @classmethod
@@ -476,58 +249,6 @@ def validate(self, value, trans=None):
 class MetadataValidator(Validator):
     """
     Validator that checks for missing metadata
-
-    >>> from galaxy.datatypes.registry import example_datatype_registry_for_sample
-    >>> from galaxy.model import Dataset, History, HistoryDatasetAssociation, set_datatypes_registry
-    >>> from galaxy.model.mapping import init
-    >>> from galaxy.util import XML
-    >>> from galaxy.tools.parameters.basic import ToolParameter
-    >>>
-    >>> sa_session = init("/tmp", "sqlite:///:memory:", create_tables=True).session
-    >>> hist = History()
-    >>> with sa_session.begin():
-    ...     sa_session.add(hist)
-    >>> set_datatypes_registry(example_datatype_registry_for_sample())
-    >>> fname = get_test_fname('1.bed')
-    >>> bedds = Dataset(external_filename=fname)
-    >>> hda = hist.add_dataset(HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=1, extension='bed', create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session, dataset=bedds))
-    >>> hda.set_dataset_state(model.Dataset.states.OK)
-    >>> hda.set_meta()
-    >>> hda.metadata.strandCol = hda.metadata.spec["strandCol"].no_value
-    >>> param_xml = '''<param name="blah" type="data">
-    ...     <validator type="metadata" check="{check}" skip="{skip}"/>
-    ... </param>'''
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML(param_xml.format(check="nameCol", skip="")))
-    >>> t = p.validate(hda)
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML(param_xml.format(check="strandCol", skip="")))
-    >>> t = p.validate(hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Metadata 'strandCol' missing, click the pencil icon in the history item to edit / save the metadata attributes
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML(param_xml.format(check="", skip="dbkey,comment_lines,column_names,strandCol")))
-    >>> t = p.validate(hda)
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML(param_xml.format(check="", skip="dbkey,comment_lines,column_names,nameCol")))
-    >>> t = p.validate(hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Metadata 'strandCol' missing, click the pencil icon in the history item to edit / save the metadata attributes
-    >>> param_xml_negate = '''<param name="blah" type="data">
-    ...     <validator type="metadata" check="{check}" skip="{skip}" negate="true"/>
-    ... </param>'''
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML(param_xml_negate.format(check="strandCol", skip="")))
-    >>> t = p.validate(hda)
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML(param_xml_negate.format(check="nameCol", skip="")))
-    >>> t = p.validate(hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: At least one of the checked metadata 'nameCol' is set, click the pencil icon in the history item to edit / save the metadata attributes
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML(param_xml_negate.format(check="", skip="dbkey,comment_lines,column_names,nameCol")))
-    >>> t = p.validate(hda)
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML(param_xml_negate.format(check="", skip="dbkey,comment_lines,column_names,strandCol")))
-    >>> t = p.validate(hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: At least one of the non skipped metadata 'dbkey,comment_lines,column_names,strandCol' is set, click the pencil icon in the history item to edit / save the metadata attributes
     """
 
     requires_dataset_metadata = True
@@ -562,45 +283,6 @@ def validate(self, value, trans=None):
 class UnspecifiedBuildValidator(Validator):
     """
     Validator that checks for dbkey not equal to '?'
-
-    >>> from galaxy.datatypes.registry import example_datatype_registry_for_sample
-    >>> from galaxy.model import History, HistoryDatasetAssociation, set_datatypes_registry
-    >>> from galaxy.model.mapping import init
-    >>> from galaxy.util import XML
-    >>> from galaxy.tools.parameters.basic import ToolParameter
-    >>>
-    >>> sa_session = init("/tmp", "sqlite:///:memory:", create_tables=True).session
-    >>> hist = History()
-    >>> with sa_session.begin():
-    ...     sa_session.add(hist)
-    >>> set_datatypes_registry(example_datatype_registry_for_sample())
-    >>> has_dbkey_hda = hist.add_dataset(HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=1, extension='interval', create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session))
-    >>> has_dbkey_hda.set_dataset_state(model.Dataset.states.OK)
-    >>> has_dbkey_hda.metadata.dbkey = 'hg19'
-    >>> has_no_dbkey_hda = hist.add_dataset(HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=2, extension='interval', create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session))
-    >>> has_no_dbkey_hda.set_dataset_state(model.Dataset.states.OK)
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="data" no_validation="true">
-    ...     <validator type="unspecified_build"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate(has_dbkey_hda)
-    >>> t = p.validate(has_no_dbkey_hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Unspecified genome build, click the pencil icon in the history item to set the genome build
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="data" no_validation="true">
-    ...     <validator type="unspecified_build" negate="true"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate(has_dbkey_hda)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Specified genome build, click the pencil icon in the history item to remove the genome build
-    >>> t = p.validate(has_no_dbkey_hda)
     """
 
     requires_dataset_metadata = True
@@ -626,31 +308,6 @@ def validate(self, value, trans=None):
 class NoOptionsValidator(Validator):
     """
     Validator that checks for empty select list
-
-    >>> from galaxy.util import XML
-    >>> from galaxy.tools.parameters.basic import ToolParameter
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="index" type="select" label="Select reference genome">
-    ...     <validator type="no_options" message="No options available for selection"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate('foo')
-    >>> t = p.validate(None)
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: No options available for selection
-    >>>
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="index" type="select" label="Select reference genome">
-    ...     <options from_data_table="bowtie2_indexes"/>
-    ...     <validator type="no_options" negate="true"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate('foo')
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Options available for selection
-    >>> t = p.validate(None)
     """
 
     @classmethod
@@ -668,28 +325,6 @@ def validate(self, value, trans=None):
 class EmptyTextfieldValidator(Validator):
     """
     Validator that checks for empty text field
-
-    >>> from galaxy.util import XML
-    >>> from galaxy.tools.parameters.basic import ToolParameter
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="text" value="">
-    ...     <validator type="empty_field"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate("")
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Field requires a value
-    >>> p = ToolParameter.build(None, XML('''
-    ... <param name="blah" type="text" value="">
-    ...     <validator type="empty_field" negate="true"/>
-    ... </param>
-    ... '''))
-    >>> t = p.validate("foo")
-    Traceback (most recent call last):
-        ...
-    ValueError: Field must not set a value
-    >>> t = p.validate("")
     """
 
     @classmethod
diff --git a/test/unit/app/tools/test_parameter_validation.py b/test/unit/app/tools/test_parameter_validation.py
index 77fcfee7030d..9a7ac9608e1c 100644
--- a/test/unit/app/tools/test_parameter_validation.py
+++ b/test/unit/app/tools/test_parameter_validation.py
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
+from galaxy.datatypes.sniff import get_test_fname
+from galaxy.model import Dataset, History, HistoryDatasetAssociation
 from .util import BaseParameterTestCase
 
 
+# def get_test_fname(fname):
+#     """Returns test data filename"""
+#     path, name = os.path.split(__file__)
+#     full_path = os.path.join(path, "test", fname)
+#     return full_path
+
+
 class TestParameterValidation(BaseParameterTestCase):
     def test_simple_ExpressionValidator(self):
         p = self._parameter_for(
@@ -62,3 +71,371 @@ def test_ExpressionValidator_message(self):
             ValueError, r"Validator 'value.lower\(\) == \"foo\"' could not be evaluated on '1'"
         ):
             p.validate(1)
+
+    def test_NoOptionsValidator(self):
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="index" type="select" label="Select reference genome">
+    <validator type="no_options" message="No options available for selection"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        p.validate("foo")
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter index: No options available for selection"):
+            p.validate(None)
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="index" type="select" label="Select reference genome">
+    <options from_data_table="bowtie2_indexes"/>
+    <validator type="no_options" negate="true"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter index: Options available for selection"):
+            p.validate("foo")
+        p.validate(None)
+
+    def test_EmptyTextfieldValidator(self):
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="text" value="">
+    <validator type="empty_field"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        p.validate("foo")
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter blah: Field requires a value"):
+            p.validate("")
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="text" value="">
+    <validator type="empty_field" negate="true"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter blah: Field must not set a value"):
+            p.validate("foo")
+        p.validate("")
+
+    def test_RegexValidator(self):
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="text" value="10">
+    <validator type="regex">[Ff]oo</validator>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        p.validate("Foo")
+        p.validate("foo")
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError, "Parameter blah: Value 'Fop' does not match regular expression '\[Ff\]oo'"
+        ):
+            p.validate("Fop")
+
+        # test also valitation of lists (for select parameters)
+        p.validate(["Foo", "foo"])
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError, "Parameter blah: Value 'Fop' does not match regular expression '\[Ff\]oo'"
+        ):
+            p.validate(["Foo", "Fop"])
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="text" value="10">
+    <validator type="regex" negate="true">[Ff]oo</validator>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError, r"Parameter blah: Value 'Foo' does match regular expression '\[Ff\]oo'"
+        ):
+            p.validate("Foo")
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError, r"Parameter blah: Value 'foo' does match regular expression '\[Ff\]oo'"
+        ):
+            p.validate("foo")
+        p.validate("Fop")
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError, r"Parameter blah: Value 'foo' does match regular expression '\[Ff\]oo'"
+        ):
+            p.validate(["Fop", "foo"])
+        p.validate(["Fop", "fop"])
+
+    def test_LengthValidator(self):
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="text" value="foobar">
+    <validator type="length" min="2" max="8"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        p.validate("foo")
+        p.validate("bar")
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter blah: Must have length of at least 2 and at most 8"):
+            p.validate("f")
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter blah: Must have length of at least 2 and at most 8"):
+            p.validate("foobarbaz")
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="text" value="foobar">
+    <validator type="length" min="2" max="8" negate="true"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter blah: Must not have length of at least 2 and at most 8"):
+            p.validate("foo")
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter blah: Must not have length of at least 2 and at most 8"):
+            p.validate("bar")
+        p.validate("f")
+        p.validate("foobarbaz")
+
+    def test_InRangeValidator(self):
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="integer" value="10">
+    <validator type="in_range" message="Doh!! %s not in range" min="10" exclude_min="true" max="20"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter blah: Doh!! 10 not in range"):
+            p.validate(10)
+        p.validate(15)
+        p.validate(20)
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter blah: Doh!! 21 not in range"):
+            p.validate(21)
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+ <param name="blah" type="integer" value="10">
+    <validator type="in_range" min="10" exclude_min="true" max="20" negate="true"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        p.validate(10)
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError, r"Parameter blah: Value \('15'\) must not fulfill float\('10'\) < value <= float\('20'\)"
+        ):
+            p.validate(15)
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError, r"Parameter blah: Value \('20'\) must not fulfill float\('10'\) < value <= float\('20'\)"
+        ):
+            p.validate(20)
+        p.validate(21)
+
+    def test_DatasetOkValidator(self):
+
+        sa_session = self.app.model.context
+        hisHistory()
+        with sa_session.begin():
+            sa_session.add(hist)
+        ok_hda = hist.add_dataset(
+            HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=1, extension="interval", create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session)
+        )
+        ok_hda.set_dataset_state(Dataset.states.OK)
+        notok_hda = hist.add_dataset(
+            HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=2, extension="interval", create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session)
+        )
+        notok_hda.set_dataset_state(Dataset.states.EMPTY)
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="data" no_validation="true">
+    <validator type="dataset_ok_validator"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        p.validate(ok_hda)
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError,
+            "Parameter blah: The selected dataset is still being generated, select another dataset or wait until it is completed",
+        ):
+            p.validate(notok_hda)
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml=""" 
+<param name="blah" type="data" no_validation="true">
+    <validator type="dataset_ok_validator" negate="true"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Parameter blah: The selected dataset must not be in state OK"):
+            p.validate(ok_hda)
+        p.validate(notok_hda)
+
+    def test_DatasetEmptyValidator(self):
+        sa_session = self.app.model.context
+        hisHistory()
+        with sa_session.begin():
+            sa_session.add(hist)
+        empty_dataseDataset(external_filename=get_test_fname("empty.txt"))
+        empty_hda = hist.add_dataset(
+            HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=1, extension="interval", dataset=empty_dataset, sa_session=sa_session)
+        )
+        full_dataseDataset(external_filename=get_test_fname("1.json"))
+        full_hda = hist.add_dataset(
+            HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=2, extension="interval", dataset=full_dataset, sa_session=sa_session)
+        )
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="data">
+    <validator type="empty_dataset"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        p.validate(full_hda)
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError, "Parameter blah: The selected dataset is empty, this tool expects non-empty files."
+        ):
+            p.validate(empty_hda)
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="data">
+    <validator type="empty_dataset" negate="true"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError, "Parameter blah: The selected dataset is non-empty, this tool expects empty files."
+        ):
+            p.validate(full_hda)
+        p.validate(empty_hda)
+
+    def test_DatasetExtraFilesPathEmptyValidator(self):
+        sa_session = self.app.model.context
+        hisHistory()
+        with sa_session.begin():
+            sa_session.add(hist)
+        has_extra_hda = hist.add_dataset(
+            HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=1, extension="interval", create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session)
+        )
+        has_extra_hda.dataset.file_size = 10
+        has_extra_hda.dataset.total_size = 15
+        has_no_extra_hda = hist.add_dataset(
+            HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=2, extension="interval", create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session)
+        )
+        has_no_extra_hda.dataset.file_size = 10
+        has_no_extra_hda.dataset.total_size = 10
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="data">
+    <validator type="empty_extra_files_path"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        p.validate(has_extra_hda)
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError,
+            "Parameter blah: The selected dataset's extra_files_path directory is empty or does not exist, this tool expects non-empty extra_files_path directories associated with the selected input.",
+        ):
+            p.validate(has_no_extra_hda)
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="data">
+    <validator type="empty_extra_files_path" negate="true"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError,
+            "Parameter blah: The selected dataset's extra_files_path directory is non-empty or does exist, this tool expects empty extra_files_path directories associated with the selected input.",
+        ):
+            p.validate(has_extra_hda)
+        p.validate(has_no_extra_hda)
+
+    def test_MetadataValidator(self):
+        sa_session = self.app.model.context
+        hisHistory()
+        with sa_session.begin():
+            sa_session.add(hist)
+        hda = hist.add_dataset(
+            HistoryDatasetAssociation(
+                id=1,
+                extension="bed",
+                create_dataset=True,
+                sa_session=sa_session,
+                dataset=Dataset(external_filename=get_test_fname("1.bed")),
+            )
+        )
+        hda.set_dataset_state(Dataset.states.OK)
+        hda.set_meta()
+        hda.metadata.strandCol = hda.metadata.spec["strandCol"].no_value
+
+        param_xml = """
+<param name="blah" type="data">
+    <validator type="metadata" check="{check}" skip="{skip}"/>
+</param>"""
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(xml=param_xml.format(check="nameCol", skip=""))
+        p.validate(hda)
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(xml=param_xml.format(check="strandCol", skip=""))
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError,
+            "Parameter blah: Metadata 'strandCol' missing, click the pencil icon in the history item to edit / save the metadata attributes",
+        ):
+            p.validate(hda)
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(xml=param_xml.format(check="", skip="dbkey,comment_lines,column_names,strandCol"))
+        p.validate(hda)
+        p = self._parameter_for(xml=param_xml.format(check="", skip="dbkey,comment_lines,column_names,nameCol"))
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError,
+            "Parameter blah: Metadata 'strandCol' missing, click the pencil icon in the history item to edit / save the metadata attributes",
+        ):
+            p.validate(hda)
+
+        param_xml_negate = """ 
+<param name="blah" type="data">
+    <validator type="metadata" check="{check}" skip="{skip}" negate="true"/>
+</param>"""
+        p = self._parameter_for(xml=param_xml_negate.format(check="strandCol", skip=""))
+        p.validate(hda)
+        p = self._parameter_for(xml=param_xml_negate.format(check="nameCol", skip=""))
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError,
+            "Parameter blah: At least one of the checked metadata 'nameCol' is set, click the pencil icon in the history item to edit / save the metadata attributes",
+        ):
+            p.validate(hda)
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(xml=param_xml_negate.format(check="", skip="dbkey,comment_lines,column_names,nameCol"))
+        p.validate(hda)
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml=param_xml_negate.format(check="", skip="dbkey,comment_lines,column_names,strandCol")
+        )
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError,
+            "Parameter blah: At least one of the non skipped metadata 'dbkey,comment_lines,column_names,strandCol' is set, click the pencil icon in the history item to edit / save the metadata attributes",
+        ):
+            p.validate(hda)
+
+    def test_UnspecifiedBuildValidator(self):
+        sa_session = self.app.model.context
+        hisHistory()
+        with sa_session.begin():
+            sa_session.add(hist)
+        has_dbkey_hda = hist.add_dataset(
+            HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=1, extension="interval", create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session)
+        )
+        has_dbkey_hda.set_dataset_state(Dataset.states.OK)
+        has_dbkey_hda.metadata.dbkey = "hg19"
+        has_no_dbkey_hda = hist.add_dataset(
+            HistoryDatasetAssociation(id=2, extension="interval", create_dataset=True, sa_session=sa_session)
+        )
+        has_no_dbkey_hda.set_dataset_state(Dataset.states.OK)
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="data" no_validation="true">
+    <validator type="unspecified_build"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        p.validate(has_dbkey_hda)
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError,
+            "Parameter blah: Unspecified genome build, click the pencil icon in the history item to set the genome build",
+        ):
+            p.validate(has_no_dbkey_hda)
+
+        p = self._parameter_for(
+            xml="""
+<param name="blah" type="data" no_validation="true">
+    <validator type="unspecified_build" negate="true"/>
+</param>"""
+        )
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+            ValueError,
+            "Parameter blah: Specified genome build, click the pencil icon in the history item to remove the genome build",
+        ):
+            p.validate(has_dbkey_hda)
+        p.validate(has_no_dbkey_hda)