including a file but not processing its contents (when php tags occur)

I am trying to include files in a form field (textfield) but I don't want the PHP within the
document to process. Is there any way to do that?

For instance.

<textarea cols="90" rows="25" name="register_tables"><? include("client_register_tables.php");?></textarea>


Would anyone know how to process that file without having it parse? (because when it parses, it displays errors)
I tried importing just a .txt file but it still tries to process that file (because ith as PHP tags in it)

So you're wanting just to display the PHP code? Instead of including the file, consider opening it and printing its contents, wrapped in htmlentities() or one of the similar functions to change < and > tags to &gt; and &ltg tags.

I already tried that, the problem is that the tags within the textarea will be
reexported once they are submitted again (throug hte form) Which means they
will have to be intact. I just want them to be imported (into the textarea) without running.

Try this,

<textarea cols="90" rows="25" name="register_tables"><? echo highlight_file("client_register_tables.php");?></textarea>