while(!defined($empid)) {
        my $tries++;
        my $ccno = $AGI->get_data("please-enter-your-account");
        exit if $ccno < 0;
        exit(0) if $ccno < 0;
        my $empid = &getempid($ccno);
        print LOG "the number after getempid is = $empid\n";
        }