Summary  
This chapter explains how to access and read the current value of various HTML input elements using the `.value` property (and the `.checked` property for checkboxes and radio buttons).

General domain of usage  
Form data collection in web applications

To capture user input in JavaScript, you read the value of an input field using its `.value` property. This lets you access whatever the user has typed or selected in a form field. You first select the input element, and then use `.value` to get its current content. This approach works for most common form fields, such as text boxes, password fields, email inputs, and more.

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The `.value` property is the standard way to get the current value from many types of input fields. Here is how it works for different input types:

- For text inputs, such as `type="text"` or `type="email"`, `.value` gives you the string the user has typed;
- For password fields, `.value` returns the hidden string entered by the user;
- For checkboxes and radio buttons, `.value` gives the value attribute of the checked option, but to know if it's selected, you also need to check the `.checked` property;
- For select dropdowns, `.value` returns the value of the selected option;
- For textareas, `.value` contains the entered text.

Reading the `.value` property is essential for gathering user input before validating or processing a form.

How do you get the value the user has entered in a text input field with the id 'email'?

Learn how to validate form input, enforce rules, and guide users toward correct and complete submissions using JavaScript. Explore HTML5 validation, custom logic, regular expressions, and asynchronous checks, then apply these concepts to create real-world form behavior. Build clear error messaging, improve usability, and finish with a fully validated signup form that demonstrates form handling best practices.

Learn how to access form elements, read user-entered values, and prepare data for validation. Understand how to handle submit events, clean input, and detect empty fields before running any validation logic.

Use HTML5's built-in validation features to enforce rules with minimal JavaScript. Explore required fields, input types, length limits, pattern matching, and how to check validity programmatically.

Extend validation beyond HTML5 by writing custom rules and reusable functions. Work with regular expressions, validate difficult input patterns, and perform asynchronous checks when needed.

Provide clear feedback with inline messages and visual cues, helping users understand and correct mistakes. Apply all validation techniques to build a fully functional signup form that delivers a smooth, user-friendly experience.

Reading Input Values

Awesome!

Reading Input Values