// First Name 

function checkFirstname (strng) {
var error = "";
if (strng == "") {
	error = "Please enter a first name.\n";
	}
return error;
}		

// Last Name 

function checkLastname (strng) {
var error = "";
if (strng == "") {
	error = "Please enter a last name.\n";
	}
return error;
}  

// email

function checkEmail (strng) {
var error="";
if (strng == "") {
	error = "Please enter an email address.\n";
}

	var emailFilter=/^.+@.+\..{2,4}$/;
	if (!(emailFilter.test(strng))) { 
		error = "Please enter a valid email address.\n";
	}
	else {
//test email for illegal characters
		var illegalChars= /[\(\)\<\>\,\;\:\\\"\[\]]/
			if (strng.match(illegalChars)) {
			error = "The email address contains illegal characters.\n";
		}
	}
return error;	
}

// address (street)

function checkAddress (strng) {
var error = "";
if (strng == "") {
	error = "Please enter a street address.\n";
	}
return error;
}

// city

function checkCity (strng) {
var error = "";
if (strng == "") {
	error = "Please enter a city.\n";
	}
return error;
}

// valid option from dropdown list

function checkDropdown(choice, list) {
var error = "";
	if (choice == 0) {
	error = "Please choose an option from the " + list + " menu.\n";
	}
return error;
}

// zip code

function checkZip (strng) {
var error = "";
if (strng == "") {
	error = "Please enter a zip code.\n";
	}
return error;
}


function checkWholeForm(cheese) {
	var why = "";
	why += checkFirstname(cheese.f_name.value);
	why += checkLastname(cheese.l_name.value);
	why += checkEmail(cheese.email.value);
	why += checkAddress(cheese.address.value);
	why += checkCity(cheese.city.value);
	why += checkDropdown(cheese.state.value, 'State');
	why += checkZip(cheese.postal_code.value);

	if (why != "") {
	   alert(why);
	   return false;
	}
return true;
}