Retrieving the value of a symbol

Pondering the philosophy behind the language
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cameyo
Posts: 183
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 3:07 pm
Location: Italy
Contact:

Retrieving the value of a symbol

Post by cameyo »

These expressions generate an error:

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(set '"name") -> ERR: symbol expected in function set : '"name"
(set (quote "name") 3) -> ERR: symbol expected in function set : '"name"
But the following are valid (then "name" is a valid symbol):

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(setf '"name" 3) -> 3
(setq "name" 3) -> 3
Now the problem: how to retrieve the value of the symbol "name"?

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(println "name") -> name

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(setq a "name")
(println a) -> "name"
Thanks

fdb
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 8:49 pm

Re: Retrieving the value of a symbol

Post by fdb »

Hi, I presume you want to convert a string into a symbol , which can be done like this:

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(set (sym "name") 3)

name ->3
If you however want to convert "name" including quotes into a symbol then use this code:

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(set (sym {"name"}) 3)
and to retrieve the value from "name":

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(eval (sym {"name"})) -> 3

cameyo
Posts: 183
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 3:07 pm
Location: Italy
Contact:

Re: Retrieving the value of a symbol

Post by cameyo »

You solve my question with:

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(eval (sym {"name"})) -> 3
Thanks fdb :-)

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