--- loncom/interface/lonhelper.pm	2005/10/17 18:20:59	1.123
+++ loncom/interface/lonhelper.pm	2005/10/17 19:46:12	1.124
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # .helper XML handler to implement the LON-CAPA helper
 #
-# $Id: lonhelper.pm,v 1.123 2005/10/17 18:20:59 albertel Exp $
+# $Id: lonhelper.pm,v 1.124 2005/10/17 19:46:12 albertel Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -2017,6 +2017,17 @@ BUTTONS
 	$mapUrl = $self->{MAP_URL};
     }
 
+    my @defaultSymbs;
+    if (defined($self->{DEFAULT_VALUE})) {
+        my $valueFunc = eval($self->{DEFAULT_VALUE});
+        die 'Error in default value code for variable ' . 
+            $self->{'variable'} . ', Perl said: ' . $@ if $@;
+        @defaultSymbs = &$valueFunc($helper, $self);
+	if (!$multichoice) { # only allowed 1
+	    @defaultSymbs = ($defaultSymbs[0]);
+	}
+    }
+
 
     # Create the composite function that renders the column on the nav map
     # have to admit any language that lets me do this can't be all bad
@@ -2065,13 +2076,21 @@ BUTTONS
 	    }
 
             $col .= "<td align='center'><input type='$inputType' name='${var}.forminput' ";
-            if (!$checked && !$multichoice) {
-                $col .= "checked='checked' ";
-                $checked = 1;
-            }
-	    if ($multichoice) { # all resources start checked; see bug 1174
-		$col .= "checked='checked' ";
-		$checked = 1;
+	    if (@defaultSymbs) {
+		my $symb=$resource->symb();
+		if (grep(/\Q$symb\E/,@defaultSymbs)) {
+		    $col .= "checked='checked' ";
+		    $checked = 1;
+		}
+	    } else {
+		if (!$checked && !$multichoice) {
+		    $col .= "checked='checked' ";
+		    $checked = 1;
+		}
+		if ($multichoice) { # all resources start checked; see bug 1174
+		    $col .= "checked='checked' ";
+		    $checked = 1;
+		}
 	    }
             $col .= "value='" . $resource_name  . "' /></td>";