Help with SSN validation

[PHPandME1]

I am very much a php beginner and I am trying to figure out how to write some to code to validate a social security number. The question I am working on is:

 

"Write a PHP function called isValidSSN that validates a social security number. The function takes 2 parameters. The first parameter is a string that represents the ssn. The second parameter is a reference parameter that will store the error message generated by the function when the ssn is incorrect. The error message should indicate if a ssn was not provided or if the ssn that was provided is in the wrong format. A valid ssn must be in the format ###-##-#### where # is a digit and the dashes MUST be included. The function should return true if the ssn is valid and false if the ssn is invalid."

 

I am completely lost so any assistance would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

 

[kicken]

There are various ways to accomplish the validation. You can use trim and a comparison to the empty string to check if it was not provided. You could learn some basic regular expressions and use preg_match to match the required format. Another way to match the format would be a combination of explode, ctype_digit and strlen.

[PHPandME1]

I would like to accomplish this task using the preg_match reg expression. What would that look like?

[Psycho]

This is obviously a homework assignment. At least make an attempt and post what you try.

[darkfreaks]

http://snipplr.com/view/14152/

 

 

at least google  some options before asking for help.