defvar Function

Defines a new variable. The variable can then be referenced by any expression within and below the containing expression in which the variable was defined. The variable must be given a name using the XML attribute name.

A defvar statement should not reference itself. If it does, it will cause a loop.

Avoid the following constructions.

<defvar name=’fullname’>
   <ref>fullname</ref>
</defvar>

or

<defvar name=’counter’/>
   <add><ref>counter</ref>
      <i>0</i>
   </add>
</defvar>

Example 1

The following expression defines a variable and initializes its value to a list of two elements.

<defvar name=’theList’>
  <list>
     <s>apples</s>
     <s>oranges</s>
  </list>
</defvar>

Example 2

The following expression defines a variable and initializes its value to the integer zero.

<defvar name=’counter’>
   <i>0</i>
</defvar>