$(document).ready(function() {

  //checks that all the form fields are valid
  // if not form will not submit
  $("#register_form").submit(function() {  
    $(".form-error").remove();
    submit_form = true;
    $("#register_form .req").each(function(){
      if($(this).val() == "") {
        $("<div class='form-error'>Required</div>").insertAfter(this);
        submit_form = false;
        return;
      };
      if($(this).hasClass("email")) {
        if(!validateemail($(this).val())) {
          $("<div class='form-error'>Invalid email address</div>").insertAfter(this);
          submit_form = false;
        }
      }
    });
    return submit_form;
  });
});

//email validation
function validateemail(email) {
   var reg = /^([A-Za-z0-9_\-\.])+\@([A-Za-z0-9_\-\.])+\.([A-Za-z]{2,4})$/;
   if(reg.test(email) == false) {
      return false;
   }
   return true
}