function validate_alpha(alphaobj) {
  var tst_value = /^[A-Za-z0-9]{1,}$/;      
  if (!tst_value.test(alphaobj.value)) {
    alert("One of the characters in the " + alphaobj.name + " is not a valid");
    return false;
  } else {
    return true;
  }
}

function validate_not_blank(field, field_name) {
  var x=field.value;
  if (x.length > 0) {
    return true;
  } else {
    alert("The field: \"" + field_name + "\" is a required field and needs to be filled in!");
    return false;
  }
}

function validate_selected_value_not(select_obj, num, field_name) {
  if (select_obj.selectedIndex == num) {
    alert("Need to select a " + field_name);
    return false;
  } else {
    return true;
  }
}

function validate_string_equal(string1, string2, field_name) {
  if (string1.value != string2.value) {
    alert(field_name + " not the same.  Reenter values");
    return false;
  } else {
    return true;
  }
}

function validate_checkbox_selected(cb_obj) {
  var i;
  if (cb_obj.length) {
    for (i=0; i < cb_obj.length; i++) {
      if (cb_obj[i].checked) {
        return true;
      } 
    }
    alert("Nothing checked.  Please make a selection");
    return false;
  } else {
    if (cb_obj.checked) {
      return true;
    } else {
      alert("Nothing checked.  Please make a selection");
      return false;
    }
  }
}

function confirm_popup(msg_text) {
  retcode = confirm(msg_text);
  return retcode;
}