displaying text in read only text areas

Question

given the simple code:

<textarea>hello</textarea>

shouldn't a text area with the word hello be displayed?

why am i not getting that with:

<table>
  <tr>
    <td>
        <textarea wrap="physical" readonly="yes" style="height:510px; width:750px">
        hello
        </textarea> 
        </br>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>

Answer 1

Text areas are expected to be found in forms, not just anywhere. Wrap it in a <form> element.