/* Java script form validation */
function isblank(s){
// returns true if string is blank

    for(var i=0; i < s.length; i++){
        var c = s.charAt(i);
        if ((c != ' ') && ( c != '\n' ) && ( c != '\t' )) return false;
    }
    return true;
}

function validate(f, r){
// Makes sure that all the fields in the form f
// that are listed in the array r are not blank
//    alert("starting validate");

    var msg;
    var empty_fields = "";
    var errors = "";

    var reqstr = "," + r.toString() // yealds a coma seperated string
                 + ","; // each ID is proceded and followed by a comma


    for(var i=0; i<f.length; i++){
        var pattern= new RegExp("," + f.elements[i].name + ",");
        if (reqstr.search(pattern) != -1){
            // this is a required field
            if (isblank(f.elements[i].value)){
                // bad news, no data
                alert(f.elements[i].name + "Must be filled in");
                return false;
            }
        }
    }
    return true;

}