Can textarea's be infused with PHP like inputs?

This is an example script of what I am working with:

<label>Manufacturer Serial Number: </label>            
<input type="text" name="Manufacturer_Serial_Number" value="<? if (!empty($)) echo $; ?>" />

Code (markup):

I have code that requires a textarea, is it possible to do the same thing for it as I did for the generic input field?

<label>Disposition: (Initiator)</label><br />
            <textarea name="Disposition" rows="3" cols="85" ></textarea><br />

Code (markup):

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Yes, simply put it between the two textarea tags.

<label>Disposition: (Initiator)</label><br />             <textarea name="Disposition" rows="3" cols="85" ><? if (!empty($)) echo $; ?></textarea><br />

Code (markup):

Hope it helps