How to change a variable value INSIDE of a template based on condition (test)?

[timetunnel]

Hello.

How to change the value of a php file var WITHIN a template?

I'm still trying to understand this vB system.

Example:

For FAQ search, I want to change the default value of 'Matching Options' on-the-fly from 'ALL' to 'ANY' via the template and NOT by hacking faq.php.

For example, I created this via the Plugin Manager in hook location, 'faq_start':

PHP Code:

if ($_SERVER['QUERY_STRING'] == "") {
  // print "QUERY IS MT";
  $new_default = 'selected="selected"';
  $matchselect['all'] = "";
  $matchselect['any'] = $new_default;
} 


I'd like this to be executed INSIDE the FAQ template just prior to the search form being displayed (and before a query string is constructed) so that the default values will be the changed values.

How can I call this code WITHIN the template?

It would be ideal (at least until I understand the 'hook' system better) to call this via "($hook = vBulletinHook::fetch_hook('match_default')) ? eval($hook) : false;" directly inside of the template at the appropriate location OR some other way, which I have no idea... :ermm:

Any suggestions on how to accomplish this end result?

Thanks in advance.