Numbered Variables

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Numbered Variables

If you are making a document that uses the same text over and over (such as a name and address list) you can save some space and ensure consistency by using Smart Characters numbered variables. Using numbered variables is a two step process: first you define them, then you can reference them anywhere in the document.

Numbered Variable Definition

The numbered variable definition works best at the beginning of the document, since that part is always read and displayed whenever a file is opened. A numbered variable definition consists of one line which is preceded by the numbered definition code (^C^G:) entered directly from the keyboard. The variable items are then entered, quoted (enclosed) by topic reference codes (^A). The following example defines variables 0 (Radical & Stroke Dictionary) to 4 (Nelson):

^C^G: ^ARadical & Stroke Dictionary^A ^AKanji^A ^AOn^A ^ATrans^A ^ANelson^A

You can change definitions once per screen. If you have two definitions in a window, the definition that was written or displayed last becomes the current definition. A line in the window is written each time the window is scrolled or redrawn, and a line can be individually redrawn by the rewrite line(3- 6) command.

Variable Reference

To display a numbered variable, enter (without spaces):

^C^G <VariableNumber><FormatSpecifier>

^C^G (no colon) is the numbered reference code, entered directly from the keyboard. Variable Number is the variable number from 0 to 15. Format Specifier is an optional field that controls the variable display. The default and only format specifier defined for this version is "?", which displays a variable in a space large enough to hold the variable.

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Last Modified: March 23, 1996