Two things: HTML entities and Undefined variables

[eluser]edjon2000[/eluser]
Now, when it comes to variables on the view page things like

Code:

$data['vac_name']

which resolves to

Code:

$vac_name

appears as undefined.

I have read that all variables should be initialized but, how can you do that with a dynamic variable that is derived from the controller, if I define

Code:

$vac_name = '';

in the view, it effectively removes any data passed from the controller

Any advice on this would also be greatly appreciated.

Jon