I've build pretty simple validator that will display my custom error message when someone tries to submit empty form. But I have some questions.

I have .each() loop on :input elements - how can I make it loop through :input and textarea?

I use $(this).parent() to get the form object of input, but how can I make sure that it is form, not some other element like div?

Code with comments

$('form input[type=submit]').click(function(){



    // First we get the form class

    var form = $(this).parent(); // How can I make sure that the form is selected, not some other parent like div?

    var formClass = $(form).attr('class');



    // Then remove every previous messages on this form

    $('.' + formClass + ' .validation-error').each(function(){

        $(this).remove();

    });



    // Iterate through every input to find data that needs to be validated

    $('.' + formClass + ' :input').each(function(){ // How can I make this work with textareas as well as inputs without copying this whole each loop?



        // If it is marked as required proceed

        if ($(this).attr('required') == 'required'){



            // Getting current text and placeholder text

            var currentText = $(this).val();

            var placeholderText = $(this).attr('placeholder');



            // Replacing spaces to avoid empty requests

            currentText = currentText.replace(' ', '');

            placeholderText = placeholderText.replace(' ', '');



            // If current text is empty or same as placeholder proceed

            if (currentText == '' || currentText == placeholderText){



                // Get input position in order to place error message

                var inputPos = $(this).position();

                var left = inputPos.left + 200;

                var top = inputPos.top - 4;



                // Generate error message container and error message itself

                var errorMsg = '<div class=validation-error style=position:absolute;left:' + left + 'px;top:' + top + 'px;><- This</div>';



                // Appending error message to parent - form

                $(this).parent().append(errorMsg);

            }

        }

    });

});