# DataTables example Custom HTTP variables

It can often be useful to send extra information to the server when utilising DataTables' server-side processing option. This is done by using the `ajax` option's `data` parameter which can be used in one of two different ways:

- `object` - An object data to send to the server. This is useful for adding static data to the request.
- `function` - A function which will manipulate the data object to send to the server, adding values as required. Using the `data` parameter as a function allows the additional data to evaluated and added to the request at the time the request is made.

The example below shows server-side processing being used with an extra parameter being sent to the server by using the `ajax.data` option as a function.

First name | Last name | Position | Office | Start date | Salary
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
First name | Last name | Position | Office | Start date | Salary

- Javascript
- HTML
- CSS
- Ajax
- Server-side script

The Javascript shown below is used to initialise the table shown in this example:

`$(document).ready(function() { $('#example').DataTable( { "processing": true, "serverSide": true, "ajax": { "url": "scripts/server_processing.php", "data": function ( d ) { d.myKey = "myValue"; // d.custom = $('#myInput').val(); // etc } } } ); } );`

In addition to the above code, the following Javascript library files are loaded for use in this example:

- //code.jquery.com/jquery-1.11.3.min.js
- ../../media/js/jquery.dataTables.js

The HTML shown below is the raw HTML table element, before it has been enhanced by DataTables:

This example uses a little bit of additional CSS beyond what is loaded from the library files (below), in order to correctly display the table. The additional CSS used is shown below:

``

The following CSS library files are loaded for use in this example to provide the styling of the table:

- ../../media/css/jquery.dataTables.css

This table loads data by Ajax. The latest data that has been loaded is shown below. This data will update automatically as any additional data is loaded.

The script used to perform the server-side processing for this table is shown below. Please note that this is just an example script using PHP. Server-side processing scripts can be written in any language, using the protocol described in the DataTables documentation.