When validating a U.S. phone number, which option should you use to ensure the correct format?

Using an edit validate rule for format is the most suitable choice when validating a U.S. phone number to ensure the correct format. This type of rule allows you to specify the exact pattern that the phone number should conform to, such as including the area code, dashes, or parentheses. By defining clear validation criteria, you can ensure that the input meets the expected structure, making it an efficient method for format validation.

This approach leverages Pega's built-in capabilities to enforce rules on user input, which helps maintain data integrity and enhances user experience by providing immediate feedback if the provided format is incorrect. Using an edit validate rule can also allow for flexibility and adjustments in formatting in the future without major code refactor.

Other options might not be as effective in addressing this specific need. For instance, while an integer data type only would not allow for the formatting necessary for phone numbers, a text data type may not enforce structure unless paired with a validation rule. Similarly, custom validation with a string property type could work, but it may not be as straightforward and efficient as using a dedicated edit validate rule designed specifically for format checks.