code: function() { 
        var previous = inputEx.Textarea.superclass.validate.call(this);
        
        // emulate maxLength property for textarea
        //   -> user can still type but field is invalid
        if (this.options.maxLength) {
           previous = previous && this.getValue().length <= this.options.maxLength;
        }
        
        return previous;
     }
docs: Uses the optional regexp to validate the field value