EASI variables

In addition to the parameters defined earlier, EASI allows the definition of variables. Variables differ from parameters in that they are not stored in an external file, and hence do not remain defined between EASI sessions. Variables may be defined to be of many different types, including simple types like integers and aggregate types like structures. The region of code in which a variable may be accessed is referred to as its scope; EASI variables may be defined in one of two different scopes:

• local
• global

The implications of using either or these scopes will be described in a later section. A variable called a defined in a local scope can be declared interactively with the statement:

 EASI>local integer a

Once declared, the variable may be used:

 EASI>print a
 0

When a variable is created, it is normally given a default value. The default value for an integer variable is 0. Variables can be assigned values:

 EASI>a = 5
 EASI>print a
 5

Variables may also be used in assignments to other variables and also to parameters.

 EASI>local integer b
 EASI>b = a
 EASI>print b
 5
 EASI>DBIC = a
 EASI>print DBIC
 5

Variables may also be used in expressions such as addition:

 EASI>a = a + b + 1
 EASI>print a
 11