Using a Variable on More than One Page

Question

Hello,
I would like to use the same variable on three pages.  Right now I can only get it to work on two.  The first page has a simple HTML form where the variable is entered.  The second page uses the variable just fine.  I am using AJAX to refer to a third page, and I'm not sure how to use the same variable on the third page.  The variable is called "find."
On the second page, I have this:
$find = strip_tags($find);
$find = trim ($find);
$result=mysql_query("SHOW TABLES FROM sand2 LIKE '%$find%'")
or die(mysql_error());
The second page then has AJAX which points to a third page/URL, and on this third page/URL, I have this:
function getAllVotes($id)
   $votes = array();
   $q = "SELECT * FROM santafe WHERE id = $id";
On the third page, I would like to replace the table "santafe" with the variable "find," the same variable that I use on the second page.  How do I do this?
Thanks in advance,
John

Answer 1

Hi Mark,
The thing is, I am supplying a form for the user.  Once a value for $find is entered, this value will not change if the browser is not closed, even if a new one is entered into the form.
Here is what I have:
On a page called index.php, I have the following form:
<form action="tsearch12.php" method="post">
<label>Enter Value:
<input type="text" name="find" size="55"/>
<input type="hidden" name="searching" value="yes" />
<input type="submit" name="search" value="Search" />
</label>
</form>
Then, on tsearch12.php, I have this code in the header:
<?php
session_start();
$find = strip_tags($find);
$find = trim ($find);
$_SESSION['find'] = $find;
?>
Then, later on in tsearch12.php, I have this code:
<?
if ($searching =="yes")
if ($find == "")
echo "<p>You forgot to enter a search term";
exit;
mysql_connect("mysqlv3", "username", "database") or die(mysql_error());
mysql_select_db("sand2") or die(mysql_error());
$find = strip_tags($find);
$find = trim ($find);
The page tsearch12.php later makes an AJAX request to a page called votes12.php, which has this in its header:
<?php
session_start();
?>
This code all works perfectly for the first value that the user enters in the form on index.php.  However, when the user returns to index.php and enters a second value into the form, the variable $find does not change to the second value.  How can I change the session to make it so that $find can change when a user returns to the original form and enters in a new value?
Thanks,
John