Messages can be displayed either in the status bar or in a message box. Display messages in the status bar when you want to show information about the status of an operation or information that does not require user response. Display a message box when you want to make sure the user sees the message or when you want input provided.
Fields, edit boxes, spin edit boxes and grid cells can change their background color to indicate an error. Fields and grid cells (because they are based on fields) automatically show error color when a field or file validation error is encountered. For edit boxes and spin edit boxes the error background color can be set programmatically using the ShowError property.