topic Re: in Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum

Create Variables on the Fly

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 03:22:42 GMT

What Frank and Randy have shown do exactly what I need but before I go
with the big move I am interested in how this method works.

For instance both Frank and Randy showed how it could be done by
providing the snipit code how do you suppose this is going to work
without using set or read?

Thank you all very much I never knew about the set command and I am
extremely excited. \\\\Kicking myself//////

David at the CADapult
http://geocities.com/~cadapult

On Mon, 7 Feb 2000 15:16:03 -0800, "R. Robert Bell"
wrote:

>I don't think that's a good example.
>
>Michael means that (nth I MyList) or (foreach I MyList), where MyList =
>'("A" "B" "C"), is just as good as incrementing variable names (in fact,
>less work!). Do I get a gold star, Mike? There is no compelling reason for
>incrementing, dxf-style, lists, either.

Re: Create Variables on the Fly

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 21:30:15 GMT

I want to know if it is possible to create variables on the fly inside
a program.

Lets say that I want to create 3 variables and I have a function that
will create those variables I have no problems creating them using
this method

(setq v1 "cool"
v2 "really cool"
v3 "Xtra cool"
)

Now lets say that I want to create 4 variables. I would have to
repeat the same process again, by defining v(1) v(2) v(3) and v(4)

What I would really like to do is have v(4) created on the fly. I
guess what I really want to do is setup some kind of counter that as I
loop though it generates the variable name "V" that has a strcat or
something like it to add on the counter number to it so I would end up
with (strcat "V" cnt) -> v1 is now a variable.

Can this be done? I have tried a number of ways but I keep throwing
myself in a loop (more like spaghetti) and I get all kinds of
confused.

If this doesn't make sence let me know and I will try and explain it
differently.

Thanks

David at the CADapult
http://geocities.com/~cadapult/

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 21:40:03 GMT

It is possible using set, read and strcat etc., but why not rethink the dependent logic and use a
list instead?

________________________________

puckettm@bantrel.com
> Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
Imagination makes all things possible
________________________________

David Garrigues wrote in message <38a133fc.457476039@adesknews.autodesk.com>...
I want to know if it is possible to create variables on the fly inside
a program.

Lets say that I want to create 3 variables and I have a function that
will create those variables I have no problems creating them using
this method

(setq v1 "cool"
v2 "really cool"
v3 "Xtra cool"
)

Now lets say that I want to create 4 variables. I would have to
repeat the same process again, by defining v(1) v(2) v(3) and v(4)

What I would really like to do is have v(4) created on the fly. I
guess what I really want to do is setup some kind of counter that as I
loop though it generates the variable name "V" that has a strcat or
something like it to add on the counter number to it so I would end up
with (strcat "V" cnt) -> v1 is now a variable.

Can this be done? I have tried a number of ways but I keep throwing
myself in a loop (more like spaghetti) and I get all kinds of
confused.

If this doesn't make sence let me know and I will try and explain it
differently.

Thanks

David at the CADapult
http://geocities.com/~cadapult/

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 21:49:33 GMT

You need to use the SET and READ functions. Here's an example. It'll create
the variables v1 through v5, setting the value to 5n (5, 10, etc.)

(setq c 0)
(repeat 5
(set (read (strcat "v" (itoa (setq c (1+ c))))) (* c 5))
)

--
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http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/protectionfault/foquendo

"David Garrigues" wrote in message
news:38a133fc.457476039@adesknews.autodesk.com...
> I want to know if it is possible to create variables on the fly inside
> a program.
>
> Lets say that I want to create 3 variables and I have a function that
> will create those variables I have no problems creating them using
> this method
>
> (setq v1 "cool"
> v2 "really cool"
> v3 "Xtra cool"
> )
>
> Now lets say that I want to create 4 variables. I would have to
> repeat the same process again, by defining v(1) v(2) v(3) and v(4)
>
> What I would really like to do is have v(4) created on the fly. I
> guess what I really want to do is setup some kind of counter that as I
> loop though it generates the variable name "V" that has a strcat or
> something like it to add on the counter number to it so I would end up
> with (strcat "V" cnt) -> v1 is now a variable.
>
> Can this be done? I have tried a number of ways but I keep throwing
> myself in a loop (more like spaghetti) and I get all kinds of
> confused.
>
> If this doesn't make sence let me know and I will try and explain it
> differently.
>
> Thanks
>
> David at the CADapult
> http://geocities.com/~cadapult/
>

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 21:52:39 GMT

(setq counter_variable 4)
(eval (read (strcat "(setq v" (itoa counter_variable) " " \"Cooler
still!\")")))

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 21:56:53 GMT

Interesting idea, Michael. Could you elaborate? If I'm not sure how many
variables I need, how would you recommend approaching this?

--
Get free software and more at:
http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/protectionfault/foquendo

"Michael Puckett" wrote in message
news:87ne8c$ke329@adesknews2.autodesk.com...
> It is possible using set, read and strcat etc., but why not rethink the
dependent logic and use a
> list instead?
>
> ________________________________
>
> puckettm@bantrel.com
> > Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
> Imagination makes all things possible
> ________________________________
>
> David Garrigues wrote in message
<38a133fc.457476039@adesknews.autodesk.com>...
> I want to know if it is possible to create variables on the fly inside
> a program.
>
> Lets say that I want to create 3 variables and I have a function that
> will create those variables I have no problems creating them using
> this method
>
> (setq v1 "cool"
> v2 "really cool"
> v3 "Xtra cool"
> )
>
> Now lets say that I want to create 4 variables. I would have to
> repeat the same process again, by defining v(1) v(2) v(3) and v(4)
>
> What I would really like to do is have v(4) created on the fly. I
> guess what I really want to do is setup some kind of counter that as I
> loop though it generates the variable name "V" that has a strcat or
> something like it to add on the counter number to it so I would end up
> with (strcat "V" cnt) -> v1 is now a variable.
>
> Can this be done? I have tried a number of ways but I keep throwing
> myself in a loop (more like spaghetti) and I get all kinds of
> confused.
>
> If this doesn't make sence let me know and I will try and explain it
> differently.
>
> Thanks
>
> David at the CADapult
> http://geocities.com/~cadapult/
>
>
>

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 21:57:06 GMT

Like I said, rethink the dependent logic.

Show me an example where a list won't work.

________________________________

puckettm@bantrel.com
> Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
Imagination makes all things possible
________________________________

Frank Oquendo wrote in message <87neun$ke331@adesknews2.autodesk.com>...
Interesting idea, Michael. Could you elaborate? If I'm not sure how many
variables I need, how would you recommend approaching this?

--
Get free software and more at:
http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/protectionfault/foquendo

"Michael Puckett" wrote in message
news:87ne8c$ke329@adesknews2.autodesk.com...
> It is possible using set, read and strcat etc., but why not rethink the
dependent logic and use a
> list instead?
>
> ________________________________
>
> puckettm@bantrel.com
> > Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
> Imagination makes all things possible
> ________________________________
>
> David Garrigues wrote in message
<38a133fc.457476039@adesknews.autodesk.com>...
> I want to know if it is possible to create variables on the fly inside
> a program.
>
> Lets say that I want to create 3 variables and I have a function that
> will create those variables I have no problems creating them using
> this method
>
> (setq v1 "cool"
> v2 "really cool"
> v3 "Xtra cool"
> )
>
> Now lets say that I want to create 4 variables. I would have to
> repeat the same process again, by defining v(1) v(2) v(3) and v(4)
>
> What I would really like to do is have v(4) created on the fly. I
> guess what I really want to do is setup some kind of counter that as I
> loop though it generates the variable name "V" that has a strcat or
> something like it to add on the counter number to it so I would end up
> with (strcat "V" cnt) -> v1 is now a variable.
>
> Can this be done? I have tried a number of ways but I keep throwing
> myself in a loop (more like spaghetti) and I get all kinds of
> confused.
>
> If this doesn't make sence let me know and I will try and explain it
> differently.
>
> Thanks
>
> David at the CADapult
> http://geocities.com/~cadapult/
>
>
>

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 22:05:48 GMT

I'm not questioning you Michael, I just don't see your point. I'd appreciate
you taking the time to enlighten me because I'm sure you're right but I'm
also short-sighted.

--
Get free software and more at:
http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/protectionfault/foquendo

"Michael Puckett" wrote in message
news:87nf88$ke125@adesknews2.autodesk.com...
> Like I said, rethink the dependent logic.
>
> Show me an example where a list won't work.
>
> ________________________________
>
> puckettm@bantrel.com
> > Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
> Imagination makes all things possible
> ________________________________
>
> Frank Oquendo wrote in message <87neun$ke331@adesknews2.autodesk.com>...
> Interesting idea, Michael. Could you elaborate? If I'm not sure how many
> variables I need, how would you recommend approaching this?
>
> --
> Get free software and more at:
> http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/protectionfault/foquendo
>
>
> "Michael Puckett" wrote in message
> news:87ne8c$ke329@adesknews2.autodesk.com...
> > It is possible using set, read and strcat etc., but why not rethink the
> dependent logic and use a
> > list instead?
> >
> > ________________________________
> >
> > puckettm@bantrel.com
> > > Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
> > Imagination makes all things possible
> > ________________________________
> >
> > David Garrigues wrote in message
> <38a133fc.457476039@adesknews.autodesk.com>...
> > I want to know if it is possible to create variables on the fly inside
> > a program.
> >
> > Lets say that I want to create 3 variables and I have a function that
> > will create those variables I have no problems creating them using
> > this method
> >
> > (setq v1 "cool"
> > v2 "really cool"
> > v3 "Xtra cool"
> > )
> >
> > Now lets say that I want to create 4 variables. I would have to
> > repeat the same process again, by defining v(1) v(2) v(3) and v(4)
> >
> > What I would really like to do is have v(4) created on the fly. I
> > guess what I really want to do is setup some kind of counter that as I
> > loop though it generates the variable name "V" that has a strcat or
> > something like it to add on the counter number to it so I would end up
> > with (strcat "V" cnt) -> v1 is now a variable.
> >
> > Can this be done? I have tried a number of ways but I keep throwing
> > myself in a loop (more like spaghetti) and I get all kinds of
> > confused.
> >
> > If this doesn't make sence let me know and I will try and explain it
> > differently.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > David at the CADapult
> > http://geocities.com/~cadapult/
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 22:06:24 GMT

A list is exactly what I had in mind the problem is that I am basing
everything on a function that will already be inside a function that
has a list. So what I am looking for is a way to set it.

Then if the variable exists I can call it by name in a menu.

Hey I have never used the set command so this is new territory for me
but it looks like it will work.

Thanks! I will give it a shot.
David at the CADapult
http://geocities.com/~cadapult/

On Mon, 7 Feb 2000 14:40:03 -0700, "Michael Puckett"
wrote:

>It is possible using set, read and strcat etc., but why not rethink the dependent logic and use a
>list instead?
>
>________________________________
>
>puckettm@bantrel.com
>> Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
>Imagination makes all things possible
>________________________________

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 22:08:25 GMT

Why not post the code?

________________________________

puckettm@bantrel.com
> Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
Imagination makes all things possible
________________________________

David Garrigues wrote in message <38a33ecc.460244202@adesknews.autodesk.com>...
A list is exactly what I had in mind the problem is that I am basing
everything on a function that will already be inside a function that
has a list. So what I am looking for is a way to set it.

Then if the variable exists I can call it by name in a menu.

Hey I have never used the set command so this is new territory for me
but it looks like it will work.

Thanks! I will give it a shot.
David at the CADapult
http://geocities.com/~cadapult/

On Mon, 7 Feb 2000 14:40:03 -0700, "Michael Puckett"
wrote:

>It is possible using set, read and strcat etc., but why not rethink the dependent logic and use a
>list instead?
>
>________________________________
>
>puckettm@bantrel.com
>> Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
>Imagination makes all things possible
>________________________________

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 22:42:15 GMT

I hope you don't mind me joining in on the fun.

I had a condition where I had to create differing types of block.

So I added a modifier which would be determined based off the position,
size, angle, and rotation.

My modifier would be placed at the beginning then have the application
attach the rest.

The rest being, size and some xdata.

I had to be able to separate certain blocks and categorize.

I would have to see exactly what you're trying to accomplish to suggest
anything else though.

Should be the same principle.

--
Rudy@whainc.com
"Automation Equal Imagination..." - "Automating Success"
Programmer/Developer/MIS Assist.
www.wharchitects.com

David Garrigues wrote in article
<38a133fc.457476039@adesknews.autodesk.com>...
> I want to know if it is possible to create variables on the fly inside
> a program.
>
> Lets say that I want to create 3 variables and I have a function that
> will create those variables I have no problems creating them using
> this method
>
> (setq v1 "cool"
> v2 "really cool"
> v3 "Xtra cool"
> )
>
> Now lets say that I want to create 4 variables. I would have to
> repeat the same process again, by defining v(1) v(2) v(3) and v(4)
>
> What I would really like to do is have v(4) created on the fly. I
> guess what I really want to do is setup some kind of counter that as I
> loop though it generates the variable name "V" that has a strcat or
> something like it to add on the counter number to it so I would end up
> with (strcat "V" cnt) -> v1 is now a variable.
>
> Can this be done? I have tried a number of ways but I keep throwing
> myself in a loop (more like spaghetti) and I get all kinds of
> confused.
>
> If this doesn't make sence let me know and I will try and explain it
> differently.
>
> Thanks
>
> David at the CADapult
> http://geocities.com/~cadapult/
>
>

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 22:58:50 GMT

Frank Oquendo escribió en mensaje <87nfff$kee19@adesknews2.autodesk.com>...
>I'm not questioning you Michael, I just don't see your point. I'd
appreciate
>you taking the time to enlighten me because I'm sure you're right but I'm
>also short-sighted.

Just like an example:

Why do you need to create variables on-the-fly
i.e.
(eval (read (strcat "(setq v" (itoa 1) " 1)")))
(eval (read ....
etc
if you can have a list like this:

'(
("v1" . 1)
("v2" . 2)
("v3" . 3)
)

where given the "name" you have the value

(cdr (assoc "v3" mylist))

Eduardo Muñoz

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 23:14:20 GMT

Ok. Now I get it. Thanks for the tip. I can see where that would come in
handy.

--
Get free software and more at:
http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/protectionfault/foquendo

"Eduardo Muñoz" wrote in message
news:87nj0m$ke232@adesknews2.autodesk.com...
> Frank Oquendo escribió en mensaje
<87nfff$kee19@adesknews2.autodesk.com>...
> >I'm not questioning you Michael, I just don't see your point. I'd
> appreciate
> >you taking the time to enlighten me because I'm sure you're right but I'm
> >also short-sighted.
>
>
> Just like an example:
>
> Why do you need to create variables on-the-fly
> i.e.
> (eval (read (strcat "(setq v" (itoa 1) " 1)")))
> (eval (read ....
> etc
> if you can have a list like this:
>
> '(
> ("v1" . 1)
> ("v2" . 2)
> ("v3" . 3)
> )
>
> where given the "name" you have the value
>
> (cdr (assoc "v3" mylist))
>
>
> Eduardo Muñoz
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 23:14:24 GMT

David Garrigues escribió en mensaje
<38a33ecc.460244202@adesknews.autodesk.com>...
>A list is exactly what I had in mind the problem is that I am basing
>everything on a function that will already be inside a function that
>has a list. So what I am looking for is a way to set it.

I don't know what you're trying
to do, but...

Even a function is a list, so you can nest it.
Example:

(defun c:test ()
(setq sOpt (getstring "\nFunction: "))
(setq a
'(
("a" . (defun c:func () (princ "\nHello a.")(princ)))
("b" . (defun c:func () (princ "\nHello b.")(princ)))
)
)
(eval (cdr (assoc sOpt a)))
(princ)
)

Command: test
Function: a
Command: func
Hello a.
Command: test
Function: b
Command: func
Hello b.

You don't need to buid code at run time via (read ....

Just trying to help

Eduardo Muñoz

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 23:16:03 GMT

I don't think that's a good example.

Michael means that (nth I MyList) or (foreach I MyList), where MyList =
'("A" "B" "C"), is just as good as incrementing variable names (in fact,
less work!). Do I get a gold star, Mike? There is no compelling reason for
incrementing, dxf-style, lists, either.

--
R. Robert Bell, MCSE
Network Administrator (or, Modern-day Wizard)
(remove the "not." in my address for direct e-mail)

Eduardo Muñoz wrote in message
news:87nj0m$ke232@adesknews2.autodesk.com...
> Frank Oquendo escribió en mensaje
<87nfff$kee19@adesknews2.autodesk.com>...
> >I'm not questioning you Michael, I just don't see your point. I'd
> appreciate
> >you taking the time to enlighten me because I'm sure you're right but I'm
> >also short-sighted.
>
>
> Just like an example:
>
> Why do you need to create variables on-the-fly
> i.e.
> (eval (read (strcat "(setq v" (itoa 1) " 1)")))
> (eval (read ....
> etc
> if you can have a list like this:
>
> '(
> ("v1" . 1)
> ("v2" . 2)
> ("v3" . 3)
> )
>
> where given the "name" you have the value
>
> (cdr (assoc "v3" mylist))
>
>
> Eduardo Muñoz
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 23:17:34 GMT

*
________________________________

puckettm@bantrel.com
> Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
Imagination makes all things possible
________________________________

R. Robert Bell wrote in message <87njo4$ke236@adesknews2.autodesk.com>...
I don't think that's a good example.

Michael means that (nth I MyList) or (foreach I MyList), where MyList =
'("A" "B" "C"), is just as good as incrementing variable names (in fact,
less work!). Do I get a gold star, Mike? There is no compelling reason for
incrementing, dxf-style, lists, either.

--
R. Robert Bell, MCSE
Network Administrator (or, Modern-day Wizard)
(remove the "not." in my address for direct e-mail)

Eduardo Muñoz wrote in message
news:87nj0m$ke232@adesknews2.autodesk.com...
> Frank Oquendo escribió en mensaje
<87nfff$kee19@adesknews2.autodesk.com>...
> >I'm not questioning you Michael, I just don't see your point. I'd
> appreciate
> >you taking the time to enlighten me because I'm sure you're right but I'm
> >also short-sighted.
>
>
> Just like an example:
>
> Why do you need to create variables on-the-fly
> i.e.
> (eval (read (strcat "(setq v" (itoa 1) " 1)")))
> (eval (read ....
> etc
> if you can have a list like this:
>
> '(
> ("v1" . 1)
> ("v2" . 2)
> ("v3" . 3)
> )
>
> where given the "name" you have the value
>
> (cdr (assoc "v3" mylist))
>
>
> Eduardo Muñoz
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 23:27:21 GMT

Thanks for the star! But it wasn't gold! 😞

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 23:28:47 GMT

Hmmm, was when it left here.

You must be running a MS newsreader.

________________________________

puckettm@bantrel.com
> Not < an AutoDESK classroom monitor
Imagination makes all things possible
________________________________

R. Robert Bell wrote in message <87nkda$ke734@adesknews2.autodesk.com>...
Thanks for the star! But it wasn't gold! 😞

Re:

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2000 23:50:35 GMT

Ah, you caught me! How can I be a MCSE, otherwise? Bill would be really
upset with me, if I didn't. . .

--
R. Robert Bell, MCSE
Network Administrator (or, Modern-day Wizard)
(remove the "not." in my address for direct e-mail)

Re: Create Variables on the Fly

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Feb 2000 04:18:09 GMT

Why not post your code?

__________________________________

Michael Puckett
programmer@cadvision.com
> Not < an Autodesk hall monitor.
Imagination makes all things possible.
__________________________________

"David Garrigues" wrote in message
news:389e386d.198286876@adesknews.autodesk.com...
What Frank and Randy have shown do exactly what I need but before I go
with the big move I am interested in how this method works.

For instance both Frank and Randy showed how it could be done by
providing the snipit code how do you suppose this is going to work
without using set or read?

Thank you all very much I never knew about the set command and I am
extremely excited. \\\\Kicking myself//////

David at the CADapult
http://geocities.com/~cadapult

On Mon, 7 Feb 2000 15:16:03 -0800, "R. Robert Bell"
wrote:

>I don't think that's a good example.
>
>Michael means that (nth I MyList) or (foreach I MyList), where MyList =
>'("A" "B" "C"), is just as good as incrementing variable names (in fact,
>less work!). Do I get a gold star, Mike? There is no compelling reason for
>incrementing, dxf-style, lists, either.