Can you get a default for a field from php?

nblgeoweb into the default parameter for the field but it didn't work.

In backend? You can't put any code into fields and params directly. Hence the possible security issues!

You can pre-fill fields in your (custom) cobalt template.
Most likely in a copy of the default submission form or in the field input template.
Make sure you have established a user object...

Thanks Pepperstreet. I used another CCK where I could use code for field defaults but I can totally understand the security issues. Since it is only being done on the backend it shouldn't be a huge concern though. I can put it in the template. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't an easy way in the backend I could use before I modified the template.

I see I can get the default value for a field from $field->params->get('params.default_val') but how do I set this to a new default? I haven't tried to do that before. I've tried <?php $field->params->set('params.default_val','newvalue');?> and simply <?php $field->value="newvalue";?> with no luck.

Or you may simply use a bit of javascript in your form template php (place this code the end of template php).

fieldID = the id of your field

<?php $user = JFactory::getUser(); ?>

<script type="text/javascript">
    var currentUser = '<?php echo $user->name; ?>';
    jQuery('#fieldID').val(currentUser);
</script>