Validate fields using JQuery validation without any submit?

Question

I have a HTML5 web application with numerous user-entered fields, and I would like to do some client-side validation on those fields in javascript before sending them to the

Answer 1

Firstly, and most importantly, you must wrap your input elements inside

tags for the jQuery Validate plugin to operate. However, a submit button is not required.

Secondly, you can programatically trigger the validity test of any or all elements without a submit button by using the .valid() method.

$(document).ready(function() {

    $('#myform').validate({  // initialize the plugin on your form.
        // rules, options, and/or callback functions
    });

    // trigger validity test of any element using the .valid() method.
    $('#myelement').valid();

    // trigger validity test of the entire form using the .valid() method.
    $('#myform').valid();

    // the .valid() method also returns a boolean...
    if ($('#myform').valid()) {
        // something to do if form is valid
    }

});

DEMO: http://jsfiddle.net/URQGG/