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Form Validation Issues Javascript

I'm trying to get my HTML & Javascript code to generate a similar prompt (see image below something similar in principle). Instead of the prompt working a page called "HTML - Form Data Extraction Test" comes up instead.
Struggling to pin point where I'd gone wrong as my labels and ID's are in place, I've been using "getelementbyid", defined all the instances of when the messages should appear.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
/* function validate()will validate form data */
function validate() {
var jref = document.getElementById("jref").value;
var fname = document.getElementById("fname").value;
var lname = document.getElementById("lname").value;
var dob = document.getElementById("dob").value;
var email = document.getElementById("email").value;
var genm = document.getElementById("genm").checked;
var genf = document.getElementById("genf").checked;
var saddress = document.getElementById("saddress").value;
var stown = document.getElementById("stown").value;
var pnumber = document.getElementById("pnumber").value;
//NEED LABELS FOR
//state dropdown
//Skills drop down
var errMsg = "";
var result = true; /* assumes no errors */
//var pattern = /^[a-zA-Z ]+$/; /* regular expression for letters and spaces only */
if (jref == "") {
errMsg += "Job Reference Number cannot be Empty\n";
//errMsg = errMsg + "First Name cannot be
}
if (fname == "") {
errMsg += "First Name cannot be Empty\n";
}
if (lname == "") {
errMsg += "Last Name cannot be Empty\n";
}
if (dob == "") {
errMsg += "Date of Birth cannot be Empty\n";
}
if (email == "") {
errMsg += "Email cannot be Empty\n";
}
if ((genm == "") && (genf == "")) { //check whether gender is selected
errMsg += "A gender must be selected.\n";
}
if (saddress == "") {
errMsg += "Street Address cannot be Empty\n";
}
if (stown == "") {
errMsg += "Suburb or Town cannot be Empty\n";
}
if (pnumber == "") {
errMsg += "Phone Number cannot be Empty\n";
}
if (errMsg != "") {
alert(errMsg);
result = false;
}
return result;
}
function init() {
/* assign the <form> element to variable regForm */
var appForm = document.getElementById("appForm");
/* link function validate() to the onsubmit event of the form */
appForm.onsubmit = validate;
}
/* execute function init() once the window is loaded*/
window.onload = init;
<main>
<!-- Start of the form that the user fills out -->
<form method="post" action="http://mercury.swin.edu.au/it000000/formtest.php" id="appForm">
<h1>Job Application Form</h1>
<label for="jref">Job Reference Number</label><br>
<input type="text" name="jref" maxlength="5" id="jref" pattern="\d{4}" /><br>
<fieldset>
<label for="fname">First Name</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" maxlength="20" name="fname" /> <br>
<label for="lname">Last Name</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" maxlength="20" name="lname" /><br>
<label for="dob">Date of birth:</label><br>
<input id="dob" type="date" name="dob" /><br>
<label>Gender</label>
<input id="genm" type="radio" name="genm" value="Male" />
<label for="genm">Male</label>
<input id="genf" type="radio" name="genf" value="Female" />
<label for="genf">Female</label><br>
<label for="saddress">Street Address</label><br>
<input type="text" id="saddress" maxlength="40" name="saddress" /><br>
<label for="stown">Suburb/Town</label><br>
<input type="text" id="stown" maxlength="40" name="stown" /><br> State
<br>
<select name="slRank">
<option value="">Choose</option>
<option value="8">ACT</option>
<option value="8">ACT</option>
<option value="7">TAS</option>
<option value="6">SA</option>
<option value="5">WA</option>
<option value="4">NT</option>
<option value="3">QLD</option>
<option value="2">NSW</option>
<option value="1">VIC</option>
</select><br>
<label for="email">Email Address</label><br>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email" placeholder="example#gmail.com" /><br>
<label for="pnumber">Phone Number</label><br>
<input type="tel" id="pnumber" name="pnumber" placeholder="(##) ####-####" /><br> Skills
<select name="slRank">
<option value="">Choose</option>
<option value="9">Creativity</option>
<option value="8">Interpersonal Skills</option>
<option value="7">Critical Thinking</option>
<option value="6">Problem Solving</option>
<option value="5">Public Speaking</option>
<option value="4">Communication</option>
<option value="3">Collaboration</option>
<option value="2">Accounting</option>
<option value="1">Other</option>
</select><br /><br />
<label>Other Skills</label>
<br />
<textarea autofocus="autofocus" placeholder="Please fill out other skills you have here."></textarea><br>
<input type="submit" value="Apply" />
<input type="reset" value="Reset" />
</fieldset>
</form>
</main>

user this https://jqueryvalidation.org/ js library for form validation

Why isn't this function storing variables and why isn't it validating the first name?

Why isn't this function storing variables and why isn't it validating the first name? It won't work for some reason. There are no error messages in the console when I open the website. Please help, this is very annoying and I've been struggling with this for a while. Is there something going past the error messages that are stopping my JavaScript code from working?
"use strict";
function validate() {
var errMsg = "";
var result = true;
// get variables from form and check rules
// if something is wrone set result to false and add error message
var fname = document.getElementById("fname").value; //validates first name
if (!fname.match(/^[a-zA-Z]+$/)) {
errMsg += "Please enter your first name (Only alpha characters).\n";
result = false;
}
/*get variables from form and check rules*/
var postcode = document.getElementById("postcode").value;
var state = document.getElementById("state").options[
document.getElementById("state").selectedIndex
].text;
var regex;
//VIC = 3 OR 8, NSW = 1 OR 2 ,QLD = 4 OR 9 ,NT = 0 ,WA = 6 ,SA=5 ,TAS=7 ,ACT= 0.
switch (state) {
case "Please Select":
return false;
case "VIC":
regex = new RegExp(/(3|8)\d+/);
break;
case "NSW":
regex = new RegExp(/(1|2)\d+/);
break;
case "QLD":
regex = new RegExp(/(4|9)\d+/);
break;
case "NT":
regex = new RegExp(/0\d+/);
break;
case "WA":
regex = new RegExp(/6\d+/);
break;
case "SA":
regex = new RegExp(/5\d+/);
break;
case "TAS":
regex = new RegExp(/7\d+/);
break;
case "ACT":
regex = new RegExp(/0\d+/);
break;
}
if (!postcode.match(regex)) {
errMsg = errMsg + "State and postcode do not match\n";
result = false;
}
if (errMsg) {
alert(errMsg);
}
if (result) {
storeBooking(
fname,
lname,
email,
phone,
streetname,
suburb,
state,
postcode,
productquantity
);
}
return result;
}
function storeBooking(
fname,
lname,
email,
phone,
streetname,
suburb,
state,
postcode,
productquantity
) {
sessionStorage.fname = fname;
sessionStorage.lname = lname;
sessionStorage.email = email;
sessionStorage.phone = phone;
sessionStorage.streetname = streetname;
sessionStorage.suburb = suburb;
sessionStorage.state = state;
sessionStorage.postcode = postcode;
sessionStorage.productquantity = productquantity;
}
// this stores values inside of sessionStorage
function init() {
var regForm = document.getElementById("regform"); // get ref to the HTML element
regForm.onsubmit = validate; //register the event listener
}
window.onload = init;
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<script src="scripts/part2.js"></script>
<title>SwinTech</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/style.css">
</head>
<body class="enquiriespage">
<header>
<div class="main">
<div class="logo">
<img src="logo.png" alt="logo">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Home</li>
<li>Products</li>
<li class="active">Enquiries</li>
<li>About</li>
</ul>
</div>
</header>
</body>
<section class="enquirything">
<div class="containerr">
<form action="payment.html" id="regform" method="post">
<label for="fname">First Name</label>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" required="required" placeholder="Your name.." maxlength="25" onkeypress="return (event.charCode > 64 && event.charCode < 91) || (event.charCode > 96 && event.charCode < 123) || (event.charCode==32)">
<label for="lname">Last Name</label>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="fname" required="required" placeholder="Your last name.." onkeypress="return (event.charCode > 64 && event.charCode < 91) || (event.charCode > 96 && event.charCode < 123) || (event.charCode==32)">
<label for="email">Email Address</label>
<br>
<br>
<input type="email" id="email" name="emailadd" required="required" placeholder="Your email address..">
<br>
<br>
<label for="phone">Phone Number</label>
<br>
<br>
<input type="text" id="phone" name="txtChar" required="required" placeholder="e.g. 0451124561" maxlength="10">
<br>
<br>
<h1>Address</h1>
<br>
<label for="streetname">Street Address</label>
<input type="text" id="streetname" name="streetname" required="required" placeholder="Your street name..." maxlength="40"/>
<label for="suburb">Suburb/Town</label>
<input type="text" id="suburb" name="suburb" required="required" placeholder="Your suburb/town..." maxlength="40">
<label for="state">Choose a state:</label>
<br>
<select name="state" id="state" required="required">
<option value="">Please Select</option>
<option value="VIC">VIC</option>
<option value="NSW">NSW</option>
<option value="QLD">QLD</option>
<option value="NT">NT</option>
<option value="WA">WA</option>
<option value="SA">SA</option>
<option value="TAS">TAS</option>
<option value="ACT">ACT</option>
</select>
<br>
<label for="postcode">Postcode</label>
<input type="text" id="postcode" name="postcode" required="required" placeholder="Your postcode..." maxlength="4" minlength="4" pattern="^[0-9]{4}$">
<fieldset>
<br>
<h1>Product Selection</h1>
<br>
<label for="productselection">Please select the product:</label>
<br>
<select id="productselection" name="Product" >
<option value="none">Please Select a Product</option>
<option value="Workstation-Laptop">Workstation Laptop</option>
<option value="Gaming-Laptop">Gaming Laptop</option>
<option value="Laptop-Stand">Laptop Stand</option>
<option value="Office-Laptop">Office Laptop</option>
</select>
<br>
<h1>Amount of Product:</h1>
<section>
<br>
<input type="number" id="productquantity" />
<br>
</section>
</fieldset>
<br>
<input type="submit" value="Pay Now"> <input type="reset" value="Reset" />
</fieldset>
</form>
</div>
</section>
<div class="footer">
<div class="footer-content"></div>
<div class="footer-bottom"></div>
© swintech.com | Designed by Bilal El-leissy
</div>
</html>

The code looks fine, but judging by this code, I'm taking a stab in the dark and saying you're hitting a security error, likely due to not serving the file, and using file:// in the browser instead of http[s]:// . You can see the proper error if you halt the code from completing the submit.
function validate(event) {
event.preventDefault();
From MDN:
The request violates a policy decision, or the origin is not a valid scheme/host/port tuple (this can happen if the origin uses the file: or data: scheme, for example). For example, the user may have their browser configured to deny permission to persist data for the specified origin.

Why the output from javascript just shown for a short period of time?

I am developing a Registration form for my assignment. All things are working but when I click on the submit button, the warning messages on the label are just shown for a very short period of time. I am using eclipse and apache tomacat. here is my code.
JSP Code:
<form method="post">
<h2>Welcome to AP Auctions. Please Enter Bid</h2>
<span id="msg" style="color:red;font-size:25px"></span><br/>
<label id="itemid_l">Item Id:</label> <input type="text" name="itemid" id="itemid"/><br/>
<label id="itemname_l">Item Name:</label> <input type="text" name="itemname" id="itemname"/><br/>
<label id="uname_l">Your Name:</label> <input type="text" name="uname" id="uname"/><br/>
<label id="email_l">Your Email Address:</label> <input type="text" name="email" id="email"/><br/>
<label id="amount_l">Amount Bid:</label> <input type="number" name="amount" id="amount"/><br/>
<label id="autoincrement_l">Auto-increment to match other bidders:</label><input type="checkbox" name="autoincrement" id="autoincrement"><br/>
<input type="submit" value="Submit Bid" onclick="validate()"/>
</form>
Javascript Code:
function validate()
{
var itemid=document.getElementById("itemid").value;
var itemname=document.getElementById("itemname").value;
var uname=document.getElementById("uname").value;
var email=document.getElementById("email").value;
var amount=document.getElementById("amount").value;
var autoincrement=document.getElementById("autoincrement");
var flag=true;
if(itemid.length==0){
flag=false;
document.getElementById("itemid_l").innerHTML="<b>Required field!</b> Item Id: ";
}
if(itemname.length==0){
flag=false;
document.getElementById("itemname_l").innerHTML="<b>Required field!</b> Item Name: ";
}
if(uname.length==0){
flag=false;
document.getElementById("uname_l").innerHTML="<b>Required field!</b> Your Name: ";
}
if(email.length==0){
flag=false;
document.getElementById("email_l").innerHTML="<b>Required field!</b> Your Email Address: ";
}
if(amount.length==0){
flag=false;
document.getElementById("amount_l").innerHTML="<b>Required field!</b> Amount Bid: ";
}
if(!autoincrement.checked){
flag=false;
document.getElementById("autoincrement_l").innerHTML="<b>Required field!</b> Auto-increment to match other bidders:: ";
}
if(flag==true){
alert('Good job!!');
return true;
}
else
{
document.getElementById("msg").innerHTML="Required data is missing. Please fill";
return false;
}
}
Any suggestion will help me a lot..

You can use onsubmit event so that whenever user click on submit button this gets call and if the function validate() return true form will get submitted else it will not submit form .
Demo code :
function validate() {
var itemid = document.getElementById("itemid").value;
var itemname = document.getElementById("itemname").value;
var uname = document.getElementById("uname").value;
var email = document.getElementById("email").value;
var amount = document.getElementById("amount").value;
var autoincrement = document.getElementById("autoincrement");
var flag = true;
if (itemid.length == 0) {
flag = false;
document.getElementById("itemid_l").innerHTML = "<b>Required field!</b> ";
} else {
//if fill remove error any
document.getElementById("itemid_l").innerHTML = ""
}
if (itemname.length == 0) {
flag = false;
document.getElementById("itemname_l").innerHTML = "<b>Required field!</b> ";
} else {
//if fill remove error any
document.getElementById("itemname_l").innerHTML = "";
}
if (uname.length == 0) {
flag = false;
document.getElementById("uname_l").innerHTML = "<b>Required field!</b> ";
} else {
document.getElementById("uname_l").innerHTML = "";
}
if (email.length == 0) {
flag = false;
document.getElementById("email_l").innerHTML = "<b>Required field!</b> ";
} else {
document.getElementById("email_l").innerHTML = "";
}
if (amount.length == 0) {
flag = false;
document.getElementById("amount_l").innerHTML = "<b>Required field!</b>";
} else {
document.getElementById("amount_l").innerHTML = "";
}
if (!autoincrement.checked) {
flag = false;
document.getElementById("autoincrement_l").innerHTML = "<b>Required field!</b>";
} else {
document.getElementById("autoincrement_l").innerHTML = "";
}
if (flag == true) {
document.getElementById("msg").innerHTML = "";
alert('Good job!!');
flag = true; //do true
} else {
document.getElementById("msg").innerHTML = "Required data is missing. Please fill";
flag = false; //do false
}
return flag; //return flag
}
<!--add onsubmit -->
<form method="post" id="forms" onsubmit="return validate()">
<h2>Welcome to AP Auctions. Please Enter Bid</h2>
<span id="msg" style="color:red;font-size:25px"></span><br/>
<!--give id to span instead of label-->
<label> <span id="itemid_l"></span>Item Id:</label> <input type="text" name="itemid" id="itemid" /><br/>
<label><span id="itemname_l"></span>Item Name:</label> <input type="text" name="itemname" id="itemname" /><br/>
<label><span id="uname_l"></span>Your Name:</label> <input type="text" name="uname" id="uname" /><br/>
<label><span id="email_l"></span>Your Email Address:</label> <input type="text" name="email" id="email" /><br/>
<label><span id="amount_l"></span>Amount Bid:</label> <input type="number" name="amount" id="amount" /><br/>
<label><span id="autoincrement_l"></span>Auto-increment to match other bidders:</label><input type="checkbox" name="autoincrement" id="autoincrement"><br/>
<input type="submit" value="Submit Bid" />
</form>
Also , if you just need to check for empty field you can just use required attribute on input tag like below :
<form method="post">
<h2>Welcome to AP Auctions. Please Enter Bid</h2>
<span id="msg" style="color:red;font-size:25px"></span><br/>
<!--added required attribute-->
<label id="itemid_l">Item Id:</label> <input type="text" name="itemid" id="itemid" required/><br/>
<label id="itemname_l">Item Name:</label> <input type="text" name="itemname" id="itemname" required/><br/>
<label id="uname_l">Your Name:</label> <input type="text" name="uname" id="uname" required/><br/>
<label id="email_l">Your Email Address:</label> <input type="text" name="email" id="email" required/><br/>
<label id="amount_l">Amount Bid:</label> <input type="number" name="amount" id="amount"required/><br/>
<label id="autoincrement_l">Auto-increment to match other bidders:</label><input type="checkbox" name="autoincrement" id="autoincrement" required><br/>
<input type="submit" value="Submit Bid"/>
</form>

Data Validation with "Select" Menu

A part of the application I am creating asks the user to enter the state of their current residence, it then asks the user to enter their postcode. The program then tests to see if the postcode is valid for that State.
Eg. State entered "VIC" postcode can't be >=4000 or < 3000
Instead of either receiving the error message or not, I constantly receive the error message even when the postcode is valid
JS for my WebPage
function validate () {
var result = true
var errMsg = " "
var postcode = document.getElementById("postcode").value;
var state = document.getElementById("state").value;
var other = document.getElementById("text").value;
if (state == "VIC" || postcode >= 4000 || postcode < 3000) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen state\n"
result = false;
}
else if (state == "VIC" || postcode >=9000 || postcode < 8000) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen state\n"
result = false;
}
else if (state == "NSW" || postcode >=3000 || postcode < 1000) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen state\n"
result = false;
}
else if (state == "QLD" || postcode <4000 || postcode >= 5000) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen stae\n"
result = false;
}
else if (state == "QLD" || postcode <9000 || postcode >= 10000) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen state\n"
result = false;
}
else if (state == "NT" || postcode >= 1000) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen state\n"
result = false;
}
else if (state == "WA" || postcode < 6000 || postcode >= 7000) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen state\n"
result = false;
}
else if (state == "SA" || postcode < 5000 || postcode >= 6000) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen state\n"
result = false;
}
else if (state == "TAS" || postcode < 7000 || postcode >= 8000) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen state\n"
result = false;
}
else if (state == "ACT" || postcode >= 1000) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen state\n"
result = false;
}
if (document.getElementById("other").checked = true || other == "If you selected Other, enter your answer here...") {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have selected other, please enter your answer into the text box provided"
result = false;
}
if (errMsg != "") {
document.getElementById("errMessage").value = errMsg;
}
return result;
}
function init() {
if (document.getElementById("applypage")!=null) {
var regForm = document.getElementById("regform");
job_apply();
regForm.onsubmit = validate;
}
else if (document.getElementById("jobspage") !=null) {
storeJobNumber();
}
}
window.onload = init;
HTML for my webPage
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html Lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="description" content="CWA HELP DESK" />
<meta name="keywords" content="HTML, CWA, Help, Desk" />
<meta name="author" content ="Harry Keys" />
<title>Application Form</title>
<link href="style/style.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<script src="apply.js"></script>
</head>
<body id="applypage">
<form id="regform" method="post" action="http://mercury.swin.edu.au/it000000/formtest.php" novalidate="novalidate">
<img src="images/logo.png" alt="Company Logo" />
<h1> Job Application Form </h1>
<fieldset>
<p><label for="jobNumber">Job Reference Number</label>
<input type="text" onkeyup="this.value=this.value.replace(/[^\d]/,'')" name="jobNumber" id="jobNumber" maxlength="5" size="7" required="required" readonly/>
</p>
<p><label for="givenName">Given Name</label>
<input type="text" onkeypress="return /[a-z]/i.test(event.key)" name="givenName" id="givenName" maxlength="20" size="15" required="required"/>
<label for="familyName">Family Name</label>
<input type="text" onkeypress="return /[a-z]/i.test(event.key)" name="familyName" id="familyName" maxlength="20" size="15" required="required"/>
</p>
</fieldset>
<fieldset>
<legend>Personal Details</legend>
<p><label for="dob">Date of Birth</label>
<input type="date" name="dob" id="dob" required="required"/>
</p>
<p><label for="staddress">Street Address</label>
<input type="text" name="staddress" id="staddress" maxlength="40" required="required"/>
<label for="suburb">Suburb/Town</label>
<input type="text" name="suburb" id="suburb" maxlength="40" required="required"/>
</p>
<p><label for="state">State</label>
<select name="state" id="state">
<option value="Please Select">Please Select</option>
<option value="VIC">VIC</option>
<option value="NSW">NSW</option>
<option value="QLD">QLD</option>
<option value="NT">NT</option>
<option value="WA">WA</option>
<option value="SA">SA</option>
<option value="TAS">TAS</option>
<option value="ACT">ACT</option>
</select>
</p>
<p><label for="postcode">Postcode</label>
<input type="text" name="postcode" id="postcode" onkeyup="this.value=this.value.replace(/[^\d]/,'')" maxlength="4" size="4" required="required"/>
</p>
<p><label for="email">Email</label>
<input type="email" name="email" id="email" required="required"/>
</p>
<p><label for="phonenumber">Phone Number</label>
<input type="text" name="phonenumber" id="phonenumber" onkeyup="this.value=this.value.replace(/[^\d]/,'')" maxlength="12" size="12" required="required"/>
<fieldset>
<legend>Gender</legend>
<p> <label for="male">Male</label>
<input type="radio" id="male" name="Gender" value="male" required="required"/>
<label for="female">Female</label>
<input type="radio" id="female" name="Gender" value="female"/>
<label for="other">Other</label>
<input type="radio" id="undefined" name="Gender" value="undefined"/>
</p>
</fieldset>
<fieldset>
<legend>Skills List</legend>
<p> <label for="teamwork">Teamwork</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="teamwork" name="Skill[]" value="Teamwork" checked="checked"/>
<label for="rubyskills">Ruby Experience</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="rubyskills" name="Skill[]" value="Rubyskills"/>
<label for="efficiency">Efficiency</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="efficiency" name="Skill[]" value="Efficiency"/>
<label for="communication">Communication</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="communication" name="Skill[]" value="Communication"/>
<label for="other">Other</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="other" name="Skill[]" value="other"/>
</p>
<p> <textarea id="text" name="Skill[]" rows="5" cols="20" placeholder="If you selected Other, enter your answer here..."></textarea>
</p>
</fieldset>
</fieldset>
<p> <textarea id="errMessage" rows="3" cols="40"></textarea> </p>
<input type="submit" value="Submit"/>
<input type="reset" value="Reset Form"/>
</form>
When I select "NSW" and enter a postcode that is not >=3000 or <1000 I should not receive an error. But I still do

I think your if-else-if construct is a little bit confusing.
I'd recommend a switch-block to validate which state has been chosen and with each case check if the postcode is in the correct range.
Something like:
function validate() {
var result = true
var errMsg = " "
var postcode = document.getElementById("postcode").value;
var state = document.getElementById("state").value;
var other = document.getElementById("text").value;
switch (state) {
case "VIC":
if (postcode >= 3000 && postcode < 4000) {
result = true;
}
break;
case "NSW":
if (postcode >= 1000 && postcode < 3000) {
result = true;
}
break;
case "QLD":
if (postcode >= 4000 && postcode < 5000) {
result = true;
}
break;
}
if (!result) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have entered an invalid postcode for your chosen state\n";
}
if (document.getElementById("other").checked = true || other == "If you selected Other, enter your answer here...") {
errMsg = "You have selected other, please enter your answer into the text box provided"
result = false;
}
if (errMsg != "") {
document.getElementById("errMessage").value = errMsg;
}
return result;
}

Displaying error message and pre-filling a form

On the 82 line of my JavaScript I have "document.getElementById("errors").innerHTML = errMsg;" this code and I was wondering how to implement it into my HTML page so when the validation isn't correct the error message will be displayed in the correct place such as when someone is younger then 15 the error message will be displayed next to date of birth. At the moment I have my errors appearing in an alert but I'd like them to appear on the web page. I also when to know if my "storeForm" and "prefillForm" functions are correct because I tried to test them and it doesn't seem to work. How do I go about fixing these?
"use strict";
/*get variables from form and check rules*/
function validate() {
var errMsg = ""; /* stores the error message */
var result = true; /* assumes no errors */
//var JobID = document.getElementById("JobID").value;
var firstName = document.getElementById("firstName").value;
var familyName = document.getElementById("familyName").value;
var midName = document.getElementById("midName").value;
var male = document.getElementById("male").checked;
var female = document.getElementById("female").checked;
var street = document.getElementById("street").value;
var suburb = document.getElementById("suburb").value;
var state = document.getElementById("state").options[document.getElementById("state").selectedIndex].text;
var postcode = document.getElementById("postcode").value;
var email = document.getElementById("email").value;
var number = document.getElementById("number").value;
var XML = document.getElementById("XML").checked;
var Java = document.getElementById("Java").checked;
var Python = document.getElementById("Python").checked;
var SQL = document.getElementById("SQL").checked;
var PERL = document.getElementById("PERL").checked;
var MySQL = document.getElementById("MySQL").checked;
var Windows = document.getElementById("Windows").checked;
var UNIX = document.getElementById("UNIX").checked;
var Linux = document.getElementById("Linux").checked;
var other = document.getElementById("other").checked;
var otherText = document.getElementById("otherText").value;
var dob = document.getElementById("dob").value.split("/");
var date = new Date(dob[2], parseInt(dob[1]) - 1, dob[0]);
var today = new Date();
var age = today.getFullYear() - date.getFullYear();
//get varibles from form and check rules here
// if something is wrong set result = false, and concatenate error message
if (age >= 80) { // Outside age ranges.
errMsg = errMsg + "You must be 80 or younger to apply for this job\n";
result = false;
}
if (age <= 15) { // Outside age ranges.
errMsg = errMsg + "You must be 15 or older to apply for this job\n";
result = false;
}
if (!(postcode.charAt(0) == 3 || postcode.charAt(0) == 8) && state == "VIC") {
errMsg = errMsg + "Your state and postcode do not match. State VIC postcodes must start with a 3 or 8\n";
result = false;
} else if (!(postcode.charAt(0) == 1 || postcode.charAt(0) == 2) && state == "NSW") {
errMsg = errMsg + "Your state and postcode do not match. State NSW postcodes must start with a 1 or 2\n";
result = false;
} else if (!(postcode.charAt(0) == 4 || postcode.charAt(0) == 9) && state == "QLD") {
errMsg = errMsg + "Your state and postcode do not match. State QLD postcodes must start with a 4 or 9\n";
result = false;
} else if (!(postcode.charAt(0) == 0) && state == "NT") {
errMsg = errMsg + "Your state and postcode do not match. State NT postcodes must start with a 0\n";
result = false;
} else if (!(postcode.charAt(0) == 6) && state == "WA") {
errMsg = errMsg + "Your state and postcode do not match. State WA postcodes must start with a 6\n";
result = false;
} else if (!(postcode.charAt(0) == 5) && state == "SA") {
errMsg = errMsg + "Your state and postcode do not match. State SA postcodes must start with a 5\n";
result = false;
} else if (!(postcode.charAt(0) == 7) && state == "TAS") {
errMsg = errMsg + "Your state and postcode do not match. State TAS postcodes must start with a 7\n";
result = false;
} else if (!(postcode.charAt(0) == 0) && state == "ACT") {
errMsg = errMsg + "Your state and postcode do not match. State ACT postcodes must start with a 0\n";
result = false;
} else {
result = true;
}
if (other && document.getElementById("otherText").value.trim().length === 0) {
errMsg = errMsg + "You have selected other skills, you must enter one other skill in the text box\n";
result = false;
}
if (errMsg != "") { //only display message box if there is something to show
alert(errMsg);
//document.getElementById("errors").innerHTML = errMsg;
}
if (result == true) {
storeForm(firstName, familyName, midName, dob, male, female, street, suburb, state, postcode, email, number, XML, Java, Python, SQL, PERL, MySQL, Windows, UNIX, Linux, other, otherText)
}
return result; //if false the information will not be sent to the server
}
function storeForm(firstName, familyName, midName, dob, male, female, street, suburb, state, postcode, email, number, XML, Java, Python, SQL, PERL, MySQL, Windows, UNIX, Linux, other, otherText) {
//get values and assign them to sessionStorage attribute.
//we use the same name for the attrubute and the element id to avoid confustion
sessionStorage.firstName = firstName;
sessionStorage.familyName = familyName;
sessionStorage.midName = midName;
sessionStorage.dob = dob;
sessionStorage.male = male;
sessionStorage.female = female;
sessionStorage.street = street;
sessionStorage.suburb = suburb;
sessionStorage.state = state;
sessionStorage.postcode = postcode;
sessionStorage.email = email;
sessionStorage.number = number;
sessionStorage.XML = XML;
sessionStorage.Java = Java;
sessionStorage.Python = Python;
sessionStorage.SQL = SQL;
sessionStorage.PERL = PERL;
sessionStorage.MySQL = MySQL;
sessionStorage.Windows = Windows;
sessionStorage.UNIX = UNIX;
sessionStorage.Linux = Linux;
sessionStorage.other = other;
sessionStorage.otherText = otherText;
}
/* check if session day on user exists and if so prefill the form*/
function prefillForm() {
if (sessionStorage.firstName != undefined) {
document.getElementById("firstName").value = sessionStorage.firstName;
document.getElementById("familyName").value = sessionStorage.familyName;
document.getElementById("midName").value = sessionStorage.midName;
document.getElementById("dob").value = sessionStorage.dob;
if (sessionStorage.male == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("male").checked = true;
}
if (sessionStorage.female == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("female").checked = true;
}
document.getElementById("street").value = sessionStorage.street;
document.getElementById("suburb").value = sessionStorage.suburb;
document.getElementById("state").value = sessionStorage.state;
document.getElementById("postcode").value = sessionStorage.postcode;
document.getElementById("email").value = sessionStorage.email;
document.getElementById("number").value = sessionStorage.number;
if (sessionStorage.XML == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("XML").checked = true;
}
if (sessionStorage.Java == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("Java").checked = true;
}
if (sessionStorage.Python == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("Python").checked = true;
}
if (sessionStorage.SQL == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("SQL").checked = true;
}
if (sessionStorage.PERL == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("PERL").checked = true;
}
if (sessionStorage.MySQL == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("MySQL").checked = true;
}
if (sessionStorage.Windows == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("Windows").checked = true;
}
if (sessionStorage.UNIX == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("UNIX").checked = true;
}
if (sessionStorage.Linux == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("Linux").checked = true;
}
if (sessionStorage.other == ("true")) {
document.getElementById("other").checked = sessionStorage.other;
}
document.getElementById("otherText").value = sessionStorage.otherText;
}
}
function referenceNum1() {
//this function defines the local storage for the first job
localStorage.JobID = "QM593";
}
function referenceNum2() {
//this function defines the local storage for the second job;
localStorage.JobID = "CS197";
}
function init() {
var path = window.location.pathname;
var page = path.split("/").pop();
if (page == "apply.html") {
var regForm = document.getElementById("regform"); // get ref to the HTML element
window.onload = prefillForm();
regForm.onsubmit = validate; //register the event listener
//this puts the job id into the field
document.getElementById("JobID").value = localStorage.JobID;
} else {
//this makes it so that the 2 different functions run when the hyperlinks are clicked
var job1 = document.getElementById("job1");
var job2 = document.getElementById("job2");
var JobID
job1.onclick = referenceNum1;
job2.onclick = referenceNum2;
}
}
window.onload = init;
<article>
<header>
<h1>The Virtual World</h1>
<nav>
<p class="menu">Home</p>
<p class="menu">Jobs</p>
<p class="menu">Apply</p>
<p class="menu">About</p>
<p class="menu">Enhancements</p>
</nav>
</header>
<section id="required">
<h5>All fields with * are required</h5>
</section>
<form id="regform" method="post" action="http://mercury.swin.edu.au/it000000/formtest.php">
<fieldset>
<legend>Job Application</legend>
<p><label for="JobID">*Job ID:</label>
<input type="text" name="JobID" id="JobID" maxlength="5" size="10" pattern="^[a-zA-Z]{2}[0-9]{3}$" required="required" /></p>
<section id="choose">
<h5>Please choose from QM593 or CS197</h5>
</section>
<fieldset>
<legend>Personal Details</legend>
<p><label for="title">*Title:</label>
<select name="title" id="title" required="required">
<option value="">Please Select</option>
<option value="title">Dr</option>
<option value="title">Mr</option>
<option value="title">Miss</option>
<option value="title">Mrs</option>
<option value="title">Ms</option>
</select></p>
<p><label for="firstName">*First Name:</label>
<input type="text" name="firstName" id="firstName" maxlength="20" size="20" pattern="^[a-zA-Z ]+$" required="required" />
<label for="familyName">*Family Name:</label>
<input type="text" name="familyName" id="familyName" maxlength="20" size="20" pattern="^[a-zA-Z ]+$" required="required" /></p>
<p><label for="midName">Middle Name:</label>
<input type="text" name="midName" id="midName" maxlength="20" size="20" pattern="^[a-zA-Z ]+$" /></p>
<p><label for="dob">*Date of Birth:</label>
<input type="text" name="dob" id="dob" placeholder="dd/mm/yyyy" pattern="\d{1,2}/\d{1,2}/\d{4}" maxlength="10" size="10" required="required" /></p>
<p>*Gender:
<label for="male">Male</label>
<input type="radio" id="male" name="sex" value="male" required="required" />
<label for="female">Female</label>
<input type="radio" id="female" name="sex" value="female" required="required" /></p>
<p><label for="street">*Street Address:</label>
<input type="text" name="street" id="street" maxlength="40" size="30" required="required" /></p>
<p><label for="suburb">*Suburb/town:</label>
<input type="text" name="suburb" id="suburb" maxlength="40" size="20" required="required" /></p>
<p><label for="state">*State:</label>
<select name="state" id="state" required="required">
<option value="">Please Select</option>
<option value="state">VIC</option>
<option value="state">NSW</option>
<option value="state">QLD</option>
<option value="state">NT</option>
<option value="state">WA</option>
<option value="state">SA</option>
<option value="state">TAS</option>
<option value="state">ACT</option>
</select></p>
<p><label for="postcode">*Postcode:</label>
<input type="text" name="postcode" id="postcode" minlength="4" maxlength="4" size="10" pattern="^[0-9]{4}$" required="required" /></p>
<p><label for="email">*Email:</label>
<input type="email" name="email" id="email" size="30" required="required" /></p>
<p><label for="number">*Phone number:</label>
<input type="tel" name="number" id="number" minlength="8" maxlength="12" size="10" required="required" /></p>
<p>Skill list:</p>
<p><label for="C/C+">C/C+</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="C/C+" name="category[]" checked="checked" /></p>
<p><label for="XML">XML</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="XML" name="category[]" /></p>
<p><label for="Java">Java</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="Java" name="category[]" /></p>
<p><label for="Python">Python</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="Python" name="category[]" /></p>
<p><label for="SQL">SQL</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="SQL" name="category[]" /></p>
<p><label for="PERL">PERL</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="PERL" name="category[]" /></p>
<p><label for="MySQL">MySQL</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="MySQL" name="category[]" /></p>
<p><label for="Windows">Windows</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="Windows" name="category[]" /></p>
<p><label for="UNIX">UNIX</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="UNIX" name="category[]" /></p>
<p><label for="Linux">Linux</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="Linux" name="category[]" /></p>
<p><label for="other">Other Skills:</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="other" name="category[]" /></p>
<textarea id="otherText" name="other" rows="8" cols="70" placeholder="Please write any other skills you may have here..."></textarea>
</p>
</fieldset>
</fieldset>
<input type="submit" value="Apply" />
<input type="reset" value="Reset Application" />
</form>
</article>

you may create a generic function like that :
function show_error(element, message) {
element.parentElement.innerHTML += "<span class='error'>" + message + "</span>";
}
//call the function
show_error(document.getElementById('street'), 'error message');
.error {
color: red;
}
<p><label for="street">*Street Address:</label>
<input type="text" name="street" id="street" maxlength="40" size="30" required="required" /></p>
<p><label for="suburb">*Suburb/town:</label>
<input type="text" name="suburb" id="suburb" maxlength="40" size="20" required="required" /></p>
Then you can add another function to remove this error.

You can do the below to update when there is an error. I have added a small code to demonstrate.
$(document).ready(function() {
$("#btn").click(function() {
validate();
});
});
function validate() {
var errMsg = "";
var date = new Date($('#dpDoB').val());
var today = new Date();
var age = today.getFullYear() - date.getFullYear();
if (age >= 80) { // Outside age ranges.
errMsg = errMsg + "You must be 80 or younger to apply for this job\n";
$("#dob").append("<span>" + errMsg + "</span>");
result = false;
}
if (age <= 15) { // Outside age ranges.
errMsg = errMsg + "You must be 15 or older to apply for this job\n";
$("#dob").append("<span>" + errMsg + "</span>");
result = false;
}
}
<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.2.1.min.js" integrity="sha256-hwg4gsxgFZhOsEEamdOYGBf13FyQuiTwlAQgxVSNgt4=" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
<div id="form">
<div id="dob">
<input id="dpDoB" type="date" />
</div>
<div>
<input type="button" id="btn" class="btn btn-default" value="click me">
</div>
</div>