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# Password

A text field on an HTML form that conceals its value by displaying asterisks (*). When the user enters text into the field, asterisks (*) hide entries from view.

Client-side object |
Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0 JavaScript 1.1: added `type` property; added onBlur and onFocus event handlers JavaScript 1.2: added `handleEvent` method.

#### Created by

The HTML `INPUT` tag, with `"password"` as the value of the `TYPE` attribute. For a given form, the JavaScript runtime engine creates appropriate `Password` objects and puts these objects in the `elements` array of the corresponding `Form` object. You access a `Password` object by indexing this array. You can index the array either by number or, if supplied, by using the value of the `NAME` attribute.

#### Event handlers

- `onBlur`
- `onFocus`

#### Description

A `Password` object on a form looks as follows:

A `Password` object is a form element and must be defined within a`FORM` tag.

#### Security

JavaScript versions 1.2 and later. The `value` property is returned in plain text and has no security associated with it. Take care when using this property, and avoid storing its value in a cookie. JavaScript 1.1. If a user interactively modifies the value in a password field, you cannot evaluate it accurately unless data tainting is enabled. For information on data tainting, see the Client-Side JavaScript Guide.

#### Property Summary

Property | Description
--- | ---

    defaultValue

Reflects the `VALUE` attribute.

    form

Specifies the form containing the `Password` object.

    name

Reflects the `NAME` attribute.

    type

Reflects the `TYPE` attribute.

    value

Reflects the current value of the `Password` object's field.

#### Method Summary

Method | Description
--- | ---

    blur

Removes focus from the object.

    focus

Gives focus to the object.

    handleEvent

Invokes the handler for the specified event.

    select

Selects the input area of the object.

In addition, this object inherits the `watch` and `unwatch` methods from `Object`.

#### Examples

The following example creates a `Password` object with no default value:

    <B>Password:</B>
    <INPUT TYPE="password" NAME="password" VALUE="" SIZE=25>

#### See also

`Form`, `Text`

## blur

Removes focus from the object.

Method of | `Password`
Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0

#### Syntax

    blur()

#### Parameters

None

#### Examples

The following example removes focus from the password element `userPass:`

    userPass.blur()

This example assumes that the password is defined as

    <INPUT TYPE="password" NAME="userPass">

#### See also

`Password.focus`, `Password.select`

## defaultValue

A string indicating the default value of a `Password` object.

Property of | `Password`
Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0

#### Security

JavaScript 1.1. This property is tainted by default. For information on data tainting, see the Client-Side JavaScript Guide.

#### Description

The initial value of `defaultValue` is null (for security reasons), regardless of the value of the `VALUE` attribute. Setting `defaultValue` programmatically overrides the initial setting. If you programmatically set `defaultValue` for the `Password` object and then evaluate it, JavaScript returns the current value. You can set the `defaultValue` property at any time. The display of the related object does not update when you set the `defaultValue` property, only when you set the `value` property.

#### See also

`Password.value`

## focus

Gives focus to the password object.

Method of | `Password`
Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0

#### Syntax

    focus()

#### Parameters

None

#### Description

Use the `focus` method to navigate to the password field and give it focus. You can then either programmatically enter a value in the field or let the user enter a value.

#### Examples

In the following example, the `checkPassword` function confirms that a user has entered a valid password. If the password is not valid, the `focus` method returns focus to the `Password` object and the `select` method highlights it so the user can reenter the password.

    function checkPassword(userPass) {
       if (badPassword) {
          alert("Please enter your password again.")
          userPass.focus()
          userPass.select()
       }
    }

This example assumes that the `Password` object is defined as

    <INPUT TYPE="password" NAME="userPass">

#### See also

`Password.blur`, `Password.select`

## form

An object reference specifying the form containing this object.

Property of | `Password`
Read-only |
Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0

#### Description

Each form element has a `form` property that is a reference to the element's parent form. This property is especially useful in event handlers, where you might need to refer to another element on the current form.

## handleEvent

Invokes the handler for the specified event.

Method of | `Password`
Implemented in | JavaScript 1.2

#### Syntax

    handleEvent(event)

#### Parameters

    event

The name of an event for which the object has an event handler.

#### Description

For information on handling events, see the Client-Side JavaScript Guide.

## name

A string specifying the name of this object.

Property of | `Password`
Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0

#### Security

JavaScript 1.1. This property is tainted by default. For information on data tainting, see the Client-Side JavaScript Guide.

#### Description

The `name` property initially reflects the value of the `NAME` attribute. Changing the `name` property overrides this setting. The `name` property is not displayed on-screen; it is used to refer to the objects programmatically. If multiple objects on the same form have the same `NAME` attribute, an array of the given name is created automatically. Each element in the array represents an individual `Form` object. Elements are indexed in source order starting at 0. For example, if two `Text` elements and a `Password` element on the same form have their `NAME` attribute set to `"myField"`, an array with the elements `myField[0]`, `myField[1]`, and `myField[2]` is created. You need to be aware of this situation in your code and know whether `myField` refers to a single element or to an array of elements.

#### Examples

In the following example, the `valueGetter` function uses a `for` loop to iterate over the array of elements on the `valueTest` form. The `msgWindow` window displays the names of all the elements on the form:

    newWindow=window.open("http://home.netscape.com")

    function valueGetter() {
       var msgWindow=window.open("")
       for (var i = 0; i < newWindow.document.valueTest.elements.length; i++) {
          msgWindow.document.write(newWindow.document.valueTest.elements[i].name + "<BR>")
       }
    }

## select

Selects the input area of the password field.

Method of | `Password`
Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0

#### Syntax

    select()

#### Parameters

None

#### Description

Use the `select` method to highlight the input area of the password field. You can use the `select` method with the `focus` method to highlight a field and position the cursor for a user response.

#### Examples

In the following example, the `checkPassword` function confirms that a user has entered a valid password. If the password is not valid, the `select` method highlights the password field and the `focus` method returns focus to it so the user can reenter the password.

    function checkPassword(userPass) {
       if (badPassword) {
          alert("Please enter your password again.")
          userPass.focus()
          userPass.select()
       }
    }

This example assumes that the password is defined as

    <INPUT TYPE="password" NAME="userPass">

#### See also

`Password.blur`, `Password.focus`

## type

For all `Password` objects, the value of the `type` property is `"password"`. This property specifies the form element's type.

Property of | `Password`
Read-only |
Implemented in | JavaScript 1.1

#### Examples

The following example writes the value of the `type` property for every element on a form.

    for (var i = 0; i < document.form1.elements.length; i++) {
       document.writeln("<BR>type is " + document.form1.elements[i].type)
    }

## value

A string that initially reflects the `VALUE` attribute.

Property of | `Password`
Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0

#### Security

JavaScript versions 1.2 and later. This property is returned in plain text and has no security associated with it. Take care when using this property, and avoid storing its value in a cookie. JavaScript 1.1. This property is tainted by default. If you programmatically set the `value` property and then evaluate it, JavaScript returns the current value. If a user interactively modifies the value in the password field, you cannot evaluate it accurately unless data tainting is enabled. For information on data tainting, see the Client-Side JavaScript Guide.

#### Description

This string is represented by asterisks in the `Password` object field. The value of this property changes when a user or a program modifies the field, but the value is always displayed as asterisks.

#### See also

`Password.defaultValue`

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Last Updated: 05/28/99 12:00:09

Copyright (c) 1999 Netscape Communications Corporation