Symbols (=)

Creates a symbol.

Format:

SPECTRA> symbol_name = value

Description:

Before a symbol is created SPECTRA checks whether it matches a keyword. If the keyword redefinition is not allowed (set noredefine), an error message is displayed and the command is aborted.

Symbols that have to be put into a certain slot are created with the symbol() function (used by write/fio).

An asterisk $*$ as the symbol_name directs SPECTRA to display the value on the terminal.

If the symbol value contains a quotation mark, SPECTRA tries to decode it as a text_expr. If that fails, the value is decoded as a float_expr.

Format:

SPECTRA> symbol_name =

Description:

A symbol is deleted.

You can define the symbols PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4, KP_ENTER, KP_MINUS, KP_PERIOD, KP_COMMA, KP0, KP1, KP3, KP5, KP7 and KP9 ( all keypad keys except those which are used in CHANGE to move the cursor). If you press one of these keys, SPECTRA tries to translate the corresponding symbol and in case it succeeds, it executes the value of the symbol as a command. Example:

SPECTRA> PF1 = next
SPECTRA> PF2 = back

After these symbol assignments PF1 and PF2 can be used during CHANGE to jump from GQE to GQE.

See section 7 for more information about symbols.