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How to do form validation in JavaScript after Submit

I want to validate my form using JavaScript.
For this I have created a function validate which should work when I click the submit button.
The message should be shown using the alert function but it is not showing any alert when I run it.
function validate() {
var email = document.getElementById('email').value;
var password = document.getElementById('password').value;
var cpassword = document.getElementById('cpassword').value;
var firstname = document.getElementById('firstname').value;
var lastname = document.getElementById('lastname').value;
var cpasswordRGEX = /^(?=.*\d)(?=.*[a-z])(?=.*[A-Z]).{4,8}$/i;
var passwordRGEX = /^(?=.*\d)(?=.*[a-z])(?=.*[A-Z]).{4,8}$/i;
var emailRGEX = /^\w+#[a-zA-Z_]+?\.[a-zA-Z]{2,3}$/;
var firstnameRGEX = /^[a-z ,.'-]+$/i;
var lastnameRGEX = /^[a-z ,.'-]+$/i;
var firstnameresult = firstnameRGEX.test(firstname);
var lastnameresult = lastnameRGEX.test(lastname);
var passwordResult = passwordRGEX.test(password);
var emailResult = emailRGEX.test(email);
var cpasswordresult = cpasswordRGEX.test(cpassword);
alert("Email:" + emailResult + ", password:" + passwordResult + ", cpassword: "+ cpasswordresult + "firstname: " + firstnameresult + ",lastname:" + lastnameresult);
return false;
}
<form onsubmit="validate()">
<center>
<h1>Dashboard</h1>
<br>
<label>First Name:</label>
<input type="text" name="fname" placeholder="First Name" class="email" id="firstname" />
<br>
<label>Last Name:</label>
<input type="text" name="lname" placeholder="Last Name" class="email" id="lastname" />
<br>
<label>Username:</label>
<input type="text" name="username" placeholder="Username" class="email" />
<br>
<label>Gender:</label>
<select name="" id="" class="email">
<option>Male</option>
<option>Female</option>
</select>
<br>
<label>Age:</label>
<input type="number" name="age" value="" placeholder="18" class="email">
<br>
<label>Blood Group:</label>
<select name="bloodgroup" id="" class="email">
<option>A</option>
<option>A-</option>
<option>B+</option>
<option>B-</option>
<option>O+</option>
<option>O-</option>
<option>AB+</option>
<option>AB-</option>
</select>
<br>
<label>Email:</label>
<input type="text" name="email" value="email" onFocus="field_focus(this, 'email');" onblur="field_blur(this,
'email');" class="email" id="email" />
<br>
<label>Password:</label>
<input type="password" name="password" value="email" onFocus="field_focus(this, 'email');" onblur="field_blur(this,
'email');" class="email" id="password" />
<br>
<label>Confirm Password:</label>
<input type="password" name="cpassword" value="email" onFocus="field_focus(this, 'email');" onblur="field_blur(this,
'email');" class="email" id="cpassword" />
<a href="#">
<div id="btn2">Sign Up</div>
</a>
<!-- End Btn2 -->
<input type="submit">
</form>

validation on states with postcode and checkbox list text area

So far my java script only consist of the age validation but I need to have more which is when the user selects a state the first digit of the postcode should be as such VIC = 3 OR 8, NSW = 1 OR 2 ,QLD = 4 OR 9 ,NT = 0 ,WA = 6 ,SA=5 ,TAS=7 ,ACT= 0. Another one is when a user selects "Other skill" in the checkbox list they have to write in it so it cannot be blank. How do I go about doing these validations without using any library code?
"use strict";
/*get variables from form and check rules*/
function validate() {
var errMsg = ""; /* stores the error message */
var result = true; /* assumes no errors */
var age = document.getElementById("age").value;
var state = document.getElementById("state").value;
var postcode = document.getElementById("postcode").value;
//get varibles from form and check rules here
// if something is wrong set result = false, and concatenate error message
var today = new Date();
var age = today.getFullYear() - date.getFullYear();
if (age <= 15 && age >= 80) { // Outside age ranges.
errMsg = errMsg + "You must be between the ages of 15 to 80 to apply for this job\n"
result = false;
}
/** if (/^[3][0-9]{3}$/) for postcode*/
if (errMsg != "") { //only display message box if there is something to show
alert(errMsg);
}
return result; //if false the information will not be sent to the server
}
function init() {
var regForm = document.getElementById("regForm"); // get ref to the HTML element
regForm.onsubmit = validate; //register the event listener
}
window.onload = init;
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="description" content="Prototype Website" />
<meta name="keywords" content="HTML, CSS, JavaScript" />
<title>The Virtual World</title>
<link href="styles/style.css" rel="stylesheet" />
<script src="apply.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
<article>
<header>
<h1>The Virtual World</h1>
<nav>
<p class="menu">Home</p>
<p class="menu">Jobs</p>
<p class="menu">Apply</p>
<p class="menu">About</p>
<p class="menu">Enhancements</p>
</nav>
</header>
<section id="required">
<h5>All fields with * are required</h5>
</section>
<form id="regForm" method="post" action="http://mercury.swin.edu.au/it000000/formtest.php">
<fieldset>
<legend>Job Application</legend>
<p><label for="JobID">*Job ID:</label>
<input type="text" name="JobID" id="JobID" maxlength="5" size="10" pattern="^[a-zA-Z]{2}[0-9]{3}$" 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> </p>
<p>
<textarea id="other" 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>
</body>
</html>

Try something using match jquery like below.
"use strict";
/*get variables from form and check rules*/
function validate() {
var errMsg = "";
/* stores the error message */
if($('#state').find(':selected').text() === 'VIC' && $('#postcode').val().match('^3')){
//do your codings
}
else{
alert(errMsg);
}
}
function init() {
var regForm = document.getElementById("regForm"); // get ref to the HTML element
regForm.onsubmit = validate; //register the event listener
}
window.onload = init;
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<body>
<article>
<header>
<h1>The Virtual World</h1>
</header>
<section id="required">
<h5>All fields with * are required</h5>
</section>
<form id="regForm" method="post" action="http://mercury.swin.edu.au/it000000/formtest.php">
<fieldset>
<legend>Personal Details</legend>
<p><label for="state">*State:</label>
<select name="state" id="state" required="required">
<option value="">Please Select</option>
<option value="state">VIC</option>
<option value="state">NSW</option>
<option value="state">QLD</option>
<option value="state">NT</option>
<option value="state">WA</option>
<option value="state">SA</option>
<option value="state">TAS</option>
<option value="state">ACT</option>
</select></p>
<p><label for="postcode">*Postcode:</label>
<input type="text" name="postcode" id="postcode" minlength="4" maxlength="4" size="10" pattern="^[0-9]{4}$" required /></p>
</fieldset>
<input type="submit" value="Apply" />
<input type="reset" value="Reset Application" />
</form>
</article>
</body>
</html>

Use regex to validate post code.
Try these two functions to validate postcode and skills
HTML - add new checkbox to Other. I've only added testing fields to the form.
function validate() {
if(!validateOtherSkills() || validatePostCode()){
result = false;
}
return result; //if false the information will not be sent to the server
}
function validateOtherSkills(){
var state = document.getElementById("OtherSK").checked;
if(state && document.getElementById("other").value.trim().length===0){
alert('Specify other skills');
return false;
}
return true;
}
function validatePostCode(){
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;
}
var result = postcode.match(regex);
if(!result){
alert('Postal code invalid');
}
return result;
}
function init() {
var regForm = document.getElementById("regForm"); // get ref to the HTML element
regForm.onsubmit = validate; //register the event listener
}
window.onload = init;
<article>
<section id="required">
<h5>All fields with * are required</h5>
</section>
<form id="regForm" method="post" action="">
<fieldset>
<legend>Job Application</legend>
<section id="choose">
<h5>Please choose from QM593 or CS197</h5>
</section>
<fieldset>
<legend>Personal Details</legend>
<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>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="OtherSK">Other</label>
<input type="checkbox" id="OtherSK" name="category[]" /></p>
<p><label for="other">Other Skills:</label> </p>
<p>
<textarea id="other" 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>

serialize a form in groups

Is it possible to serialize a form in separate groups?
<form id="form">
<input class="nameF" type="text" name="fName" value="first name">
<input class="nameF" type="text" name="lName" value="last name">
<input class="address" type="text" name="addOne" value="home address">
<input class="address" type="text" name="zip" value="zip code">
<input class="address" type="text" name="country" value="country">
</form>
$('#form').serialize();
//this gives me the complete form serialized
but can I break it down in groups with the fields containing class name?
Something like nameF : first+name&last+name and same for address, is this doable?

You can do like :
console.log($('.nameF').serialize());
console.log($('.address').serialize());
If you didn't get your answer , elaborate your question with full example.

<form id="form">
<input class="nameF" type="text" name="fName" value="first name"/>
<input class="nameF" type="text" name="lName" value="last name"/>
<input class="address" type="text" name="address[addOne]" value="home address"/>
<input class="address" type="text" name="address[zip]" value="zip code"/>
<input class="address" type="text" name="address[country]" value="country"/>
</form>
fiddle

You can use -
$('input .nameF').serialize();
$('input .address').serialize();
You can test it using-
alert(JSON.stringify($('input .nameF').serialize()));

Get value from radio button AND copy value using JQuery

I've looked all over, and can see many ways to get the value of a radio button, but not take it the next step and set the same value to a similar set of radio buttons. Copying text values works fine, just can't get the radio buttons to copy also.
EDIT:
I added the entire relevant html:
<div class="form-container">
<div class="form-titles">
<h4>Customer <span>Shipping</span> Information</h4>
</div>
<div id="fillout-form">
<label for="name"><span>*</span>Contact Name:</label>
<input type="text" id="name" name="name" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="company"><span>*</span>Company Name:</label>
<input type="text" id="company" name="company" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="land-line"><span>*</span>Primary Phone:</label>
<input type="text" id="land-line" name="land-line" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="cell">Cell Phone:</label>
<input type="text" id="cell" name="cell" maxlength="50" />
<label for="email"><span>*</span>Email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="fax">Fax:</label>
<input type="text" id="fax" name="fax" maxlength="50" />
<label for="address"><span>*</span>Street Address:</label>
<input type="text" id="address" name="address" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="address-2">Street Address 2:</label>
<input type="text" id="address-2" name="address-2" maxlength="50" />
<label for="city"><span>*</span>City:</label>
<input type="text" id="city" name="city" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="state"><span>*</span>State or Province:</label>
<input type="text" id="state" name="state" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="zip"><span>*</span>Zip / Postal Code:</label>
<input type="text" id="zip" name="zip" maxlength="50" class="required" />
</div>
<div id="vertical-radio">
<div id="radio-buttons">
<label for="country"><span>*</span>Country:</label>
<div id="multi-line-radio"><input type="radio" name="country" id="country" value="USA" class="required" checked >United States</div>
<div id="multi-line-radio"><input type="radio" name="country" id="country" value="Canada" >Canada</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="form-container">
<div class="form-titles">
<h4>Customer <span>Billing</span> Information</h4>
<div class="same-address">
<input type="checkbox" name="same-address" value="same-address" id="copyCheck"><p>Same as Shipping Address?</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="fillout-form">
<label for="name_2"><span>*</span>Contact Name:</label>
<input type="text" id="name_2" name="name_2" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="company_2"><span>*</span>Company Name:</label>
<input type="text" id="company_2" name="company_2" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="land-line_2"><span>*</span>Primary Phone:</label>
<input type="text" id="land-line_2" name="land-line_2" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="cell_2">Cell Phone:</label>
<input type="text" id="cell_2" name="cell_2" maxlength="50" />
<label for="email_2"><span>*</span>Email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email_2" name="email_2" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="fax_2">Fax:</label>
<input type="text" id="fax_2" name="fax_2" maxlength="50" />
<label for="PO-Box_2">PO-Box:</label>
<input type="text" id="PO-Box_2" name="PO-Box_2" maxlength="50" />
<label for="address_2">Street Address:</label>
<input type="text" id="address_2" name="address_2" maxlength="50" />
<label for="address-2_2">Street Address 2:</label>
<input type="text" id="address-2_2" name="address-2_2" maxlength="50" />
<label for="city_2"><span>*</span>City:</label>
<input type="text" id="city_2" name="city_2" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="state_2"><span>*</span>State or Province:</label>
<input type="text" id="state_2" name="state_2" maxlength="50" class="required" />
<label for="zip_2"><span>*</span>Zip / Postal Code:</label>
<input type="text" id="zip_2" name="zip_2" maxlength="50" class="required" />
</div>
<div id="vertical-radio">
<div id="radio-buttons">
<div id="country_option_2">
<label for="country_2"><span>*</span>Country:</label>
<div id="multi-line-radio"><input type="radio" name="country_2" id="country_2" value="USA" class="required" checked >United States</div>
<div id="multi-line-radio"><input type="radio" name="country_2" id="country_2" value="Canada" >Canada</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
And jQuery:
$(document).ready(function(){
$(function(){
$("#copyCheck").change(function() {
if ($("#copyCheck:checked").length > 0) {
bindGroups();
} else {
unbindGroups();
}
});
});
var bindGroups = function() {
$("input[id='name_2']").val($("input[id='name']").val());
$("input[id='company_2']").val($("input[id='company']").val());
$("input[id='land-line_2']").val($("input[id='land-line']").val());
$("input[id='cell_2']").val($("input[id='cell']").val());
$("input[id='email_2']").val($("input[id='email']").val());
$("input[id='fax_2']").val($("input[id='fax']").val());
$("input[id='address_2']").val($("input[id='address']").val());
$("input[id='address-2_2']").val($("input[id='address-2']").val());
$("input[id='city_2']").val($("input[id='city']").val());
$("input[id='state_2']").val($("input[id='state']").val());
$("input[id='zip_2']").val($("input[id='zip']").val());
$("input:radio[name=country_2]:checked").val($("input:radio[name=country]:checked").val());
$("input[id='name']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='name_2']").val($(this).val());
});
$("input[id='company']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='company_2']").val($(this).val());
});
$("input[id='land-line']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='land-line_2']").val($(this).val());
});
$("input[id='cell']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='cell_2']").val($(this).val());
});
$("input[id='email']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='email_2']").val($(this).val());
});
$("input[id='fax']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='fax_2']").val($(this).val());
});
$("input[id='address']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='address_2']").val($(this).val());
});
$("input[id='address-2']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='address-2_2']").val($(this).val());
});
$("input[id='city']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='city_2']").val($(this).val());
});
$("input[id='state']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='state_2']").val($(this).val());
});
$("input[id='zip']").keyup(function() {
$("input[id='zip_2']").val($(this).val());
});
};
var unbindGroups = function() {
$("input[id='name']").unbind("keyup");
$("input[id='company']").unbind("keyup");
$("input[id='land-line']").unbind("keyup");
$("input[id='cell']").unbind("keyup");
$("input[id='email']").unbind("keyup");
$("input[id='fax']").unbind("keyup");
$("input[id='address']").unbind("keyup");
$("input[id='address-2']").unbind("keyup");
$("input[id='city']").unbind("keyup");
$("input[id='state']").unbind("keyup");
$("input[id='zip']").unbind("keyup");
};
});

Close your input tags
for example
<input type="radio" name="country" value="Canada">
should be
<input type="radio" name="country" value="Canada"/>
IDs are unique
and exist once, and only once, in a particular document.
for example
<div id="radio-buttons">...</div><div id="radio-buttons">...</div>
should be something like
<div id="radio-buttons-1">...</div><div id="radio-buttons-2">...</div>
or
<div class="radio-buttons">...</div><div class="radio-buttons">...</div>
open your mind
There doesn't seem to be a need to handle each of these on an individual basis, you should think "how can i get those to copy here" not "lets copy this one and this one and this one..."
which would give you jquery that looks more like this:
var ship = $('.form-container').eq(0).find('input'),//first fields
bill = $('.form-container').eq(1).find('input').not('#copyCheck,#PO-Box_2');//second fields
$('#copyCheck').on('change', function () {
if ($(this).prop('checked')) { bindGroups(); }//checked:bind answers
else { unbindGroups(); }//!checked:remove answers
});
function brains(e,i) {//runs on bindgroups and on irt
var tc;
if (e.is('[type=radio]')) {//if radio
tc = e.prop('checked');//get checked
bill.eq(i).prop('checked',tc);//add checked to corresponding element
} else if(e.is('[type=text],[type=email]')) {//if text or email
tc = e.val();//get value
bill.eq(i).val(tc);//add value to corresponding element
}
}
function bindGroups() {//copy
ship.each(function(i){//for each input
brains($(this),i);//run brains
$(this).on('keyup change', function() {//on keyup or change
brains($(this),i);//run brains
});
});
}
function unbindGroups() {//clear the deck
ship.each(function(i){//for each input
if ($(this).is('[type=radio]')) {//if radio
bill.eq(i).prop('checked',false);//reset radio optional
} else if($(this).is('[type=text],[type=email]')) {//if text or email
bill.eq(i).val('');//empty text optional
}
}).unbind();//unbind actions
}
That way your not writing jquery for every element individually.
made a fiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/filever10/bC3mQ/

Auto Clear & Refill Texta Area Value

I have a simple form using the Value to inform the user what they're to put in each text area. I have been able to make the text area's auto clear using this javascript:
<script type="text/javascript">
function setValue(field)
{
if(''!=field.defaultValue)
{
if(field.value==field.defaultValue)
{
field.value='';
}
else if(''==field.value)
{
field.value=field.defaultValue;
}
}
}
</script>
What would I need to add to have the Value re-appear if the user doesn't fill the text area and they no longer have it selected? Here's the form markup, if that helps any:
<form method="post" action="<?php echo $PHP_SELF; ?>">
<input type="text" name="first" value="First Name" class="slide-form-input" onfocus="setValue(this)" onblur="setValue(this)">
<input type="text" name="last" value="Last Name" class="slide-form-input" onfocus="setValue(this)" onblur="setValue(this)"> <br>
<input type="text" name="address" value="Address" class="slide-form-input" onfocus="setValue(this)" onblur="setValue(this)">
<input type="text" name="city" value="City" class="slide-form-input" onfocus="setValue(this)" onblur="setValue(this)"><br>
<input type="text" name="state" value="State" class="slide-form-input" onfocus="setValue(this)" onblur="setValue(this)">
<input type="text" name="zip" value="Zip" class="slide-form-input" onfocus="setValue(this)" onblur="setValue(this)"><br>
<input type="text" name="phone" value="Phone" class="slide-form-input" onfocus="setValue(this)" onblur="setValue(this)">
<input type="radio" name="day" value="Day"> Day
<input type="radio" name="evening" value="Evening"> Evening <br>
<input type="text" name="email" value="Email" class="slide-form-input" onfocus="setValue(this)" onblur="setValue(this)">
<input type="submit" name="submit" value="Send Request" class="push_button blue">
(sorry for the poor wording, it's early!)
Thank you!
Any help with this would be much appreciated.

You are looking for the placeholder html5 attribute
<input type="text" palceholder="First Name" />
http://jsfiddle.net/MesvN/
http://davidwalsh.name/html5-placeholder