Handle structured output and provider failure states
Check both the shape and the truth of a structured result.
Reviewed: 2026-10-03
Source-based teaching example · Fictional data
Narration: Microsoft Mark · locally synthesized

00:00:00.000 — What you will learn

Check both the shape and the truth of a structured result.

Visual description:
Check both the shape and the truth of a structured result.

00:00:06.083 — The idea

Validate status, fields and types. Then compare the values with their source. Refused or incomplete output must not become an ordinary success.

Visual description:
Validate status, fields and types. Then compare the values with their source. Refused or incomplete output must not become an ordinary success.

00:00:19.542 — One useful term

Schema validation. Checking that an output follows the required field and value rules.

Visual description:
Checking that an output follows the required field and value rules.

00:00:28.292 — A worked example

The response has valid fields but says record P starts at 11:00. The source says 10:00. Format validation passes; the evidence check fails.

Visual description:
The response has valid fields but says record P starts at 11:00. The source says 10:00. Format validation passes; the evidence check fails.

00:00:42.333 — Your turn to think

Does valid structure make the time correct? Pause and decide before continuing.

Visual description:
Does valid structure make the time correct?
Pause the video if you need more time.

00:00:58.583 — Why this answer works

No. Return an unsupported-result state. Do not invent replacement content for refusal or incomplete output.

Visual description:
No. Return an unsupported-result state. Do not invent replacement content for refusal or incomplete output.

00:01:09.500 — Check 1

Validate the envelope and fields.

Visual description:
Validate the envelope and fields.

00:01:14.667 — Check 2

Check values against evidence.

Visual description:
Check values against evidence.

00:01:19.625 — Check 3

Preserve refusal and incomplete states.

Visual description:
Preserve refusal and incomplete states.

00:01:25.167 — Now try a different case

Open the lesson and try its different practice case. Use every check in the full task. Watching alone does not mark the lesson complete.

Visual description:
Open the lesson
Try the new case
Check and revise
The full task and its requirements are in the linked lesson.