;(function($) {

    /**
     * Clears the form data.  Takes the following actions on the form's input fields:
     *  - input text fields will have their 'value' property set to the empty string
     *  - select elements will have their 'selectedIndex' property set to -1
     *  - checkbox and radio inputs will have their 'checked' property set to false
     *  - inputs of type submit, button, reset, and hidden will *not* be effected
     *  - button elements will *not* be effected
     */
    $.fn.clearForm = function() {
        return this.each(function() {
            $('input,select,textarea', this).clearFields();
        });
    };
    
    /**
     * Clears the selected form elements.
     */
    $.fn.clearFields = $.fn.clearInputs = function() {
        return this.each(function() {
            var t = this.type, tag = this.tagName.toLowerCase();
            if (t == 'text' || t == 'password' || tag == 'textarea')
                this.value = '';
            else if (t == 'checkbox' || t == 'radio')
                this.checked = false;
            else if (tag == 'select')
                this.selectedIndex = 0;
        });
    };

})(jQuery);