This is how i have been dealing with empty form fields:
# If certain fields are blank, then give a "blank form" response
&missing_info_error ("Date") unless $FORM{'date'};
&missing_info_error ("Name") unless $FORM{'name'};
&missing_info_error ("Eng/Rig") unless $FORM{'engorrig'};
&missing_info_error ("Engine Model") unless $FORM{'em'};
&missing_info_error ("Test Stand or Build Cell") unless $FORM{'tsbc'};
&missing_info_error ("Time Lost") unless $FORM{'tl'};
Then output is in a HTML page
Update: mandog raised the issue that this approach fails if a legitimate field value is zero.
In such cases, a missing field error is posted, even though the field exists, thus reinforcing the case for using CGI.pm
Edited by davido: Added code tags. Removed duplicate submission. Directed readers to further clarification.