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JavaScript JavaScript Functions Create Reusable Code with Functions Using Multiple return Statements

Posted by Esther AlQaisi
Esther AlQaisi
2,311 Points

Alert box not appearing, even after I removed the value attribute from the input element. Help!

Hi! I removed the value attribute from the input element, expecting the program to display an alert box when I ran it. However, no alert box is appearing. Can someone spot my error? Here's the code:

function isFieldEmpty() { const field = document.querySelector('#info'); if (field.value === ' ') { return true; } else { return false; }

}

const fieldTest = isFieldEmpty();

if (fieldTest === true){ alert("Please provide your information!"); }

2 Answers

Peter Vann
Peter Vann
36,425 Points

Hi Ester!

I tested your code and the issue seems to be that you are testing field.value against a one-space string and not an empty one.

You have this:

if (field.value === ' ') // One space

When what you want is this:

if (field.value === '') // No space (empty string)

You could also do this (reacting to user interaction):

const field = document.querySelector('#info');

field.addEventListener('input', (e) => {
  if (e.target.value === '') {
    setTimeout( () => {
      alert("Please provide your information!");
    }, 50);
  }
});

Note: I had to add the brief setTimeout or the alert will pop up before the input is fully empty.

You can test it here:

https://www.w3schools.com/js/tryit.asp?filename=tryjs_array

Using this:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>

<h2>Empty Input Alert</h2>

<input id="info" type="text" value="Boo!" />

<script>
const field = document.querySelector('#info');

field.addEventListener('input', (e) => {
  if (e.target.value === '') {
    setTimeout( () => {
      alert("Please provide your information!");
    }, 50);
  }
});

</script>

</body>
</html>

Just paste the HTML code above in the w3schools left pane, run it, and try to delete the "Boo!" text.

I hope that helps.

Stay safe and happy coding!

Esther AlQaisi
Esther AlQaisi
2,311 Points
Esther AlQaisi
Esther AlQaisi
2,311 Points

That makes so much sense! I thought I was testing the field value against an empty string, but obviously if I hit the space bar then it's not empty! I'm learning a lot through my errors, thank you for your time!