Feature/issue 974 pagination validation

[Dami24-hub]

Description

Resolves #974

This PR implements robust input validation for pagination query parameters (limit and offset) across the application's paginated endpoints. It ensures that incoming user data is safely typed and bounded before reaching the service layers, preventing potential DoS vectors (e.g., requesting massive limits) and database syntax errors.

Changes Checklist

• Implemented input validation logic for pagination parameters.
• Enforced boundaries: limit must be an integer between 1 and 100; offset must be a non-negative integer.
• Added automated unit/integration tests covering edge cases.
• Verified that all existing CI test suites pass successfully.
• Updated relevant documentation/inline comments.

Proposed Changes

1. Validation Logic

• Added checks to ensure limit and offset are valid integers.
• Enforced upper-bound rule for pagination: limit <= 100.
• Enforced lower-bound rule: limit > 0 and offset >= 0.
• Configured the system to return a standard 400 Bad Request HTTP status code with a descriptive error payload when validation fails.

2. Testing Strategy

• Valid Cases: Tested default pagination, explicit valid bounds (e.g., limit=50, offset=0), and maximum limit (limit=100).
• Invalid Cases: Tested string injections (e.g., limit=abc), negative numbers (offset=-5), and exceeding the maximum threshold (limit=101).

Verification Results

Automated Tests

[PASTED_TEST_COMMAND_OUTPUT_HERE, e.g., "npm test" or "pytest" results]
All 24 existing tests passed.
5 new pagination validation tests passed successfully.

Checklist Before Requesting Review
[x] My code follows the code style guidelines of this project.

[x] I have performed a self-review of my own code.

[x] I have commented my code, particularly in hard-to-understand areas.

[x] My changes generate no new warnings or linting errors.

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[Yunusabdul38]

LGTM