syntax for declaring a variable as a value in a hidden form field

[eskimo]

Hello

I am working on a form submit thingy for my new site (php). On the page wit the form, I generate a random 16 digit srting, which is then to be used to verify the users post. This works fine.

Except...

I want to declare the value of the random string as a hidden form variable ($activatecode), something like:

<input type="hidden" name="random" value= "<?php $activatecode ?>">

I need to do this so when the form is processed on the next page, the value of @activatecode is stored in my database, to be used later to activate the users posting.

It doesnt seem to be working? The $activatecode variable is being created by my random string function correcly, and everything else being passed as hidden, and non-hidden values by the form to the next page is working perfect

What is the correct syntax for declaring a variable as a value in a hidden form field

[is_numeric]

<input type="hidden" name="random" value= "<?php echo $activatecode; ?>">