calling javascript function inside a page

using vb.net/asp.net 2005
I have a content page (<asp:content>) where I am using javascript and normally I am adding the attribut in the code-behind page. however I now need to add a javascript function that will cause when the body or panel loads.
I have a test javascript function that simply shows an alert box but I cannot get it to display, please help.
Is there a special way to do this in a content page? thanks
<table onload="test();"> javascript function test() { alert('test'); }
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