A variable is a temporary storage for one bit of information. All variables have names. In DbfScript variable names are always prefixed with a pound symbol (#) for records or simple bits of information, or ampersand (&) for paths that point to information.

var #variable = value

Declares a new variable. All record or value variables must start with a pound (#) symbol. All path variables must start with an ampersand (&). Variables can be declared twice, but cannot be used until declared. An initial value for the variable should be defined.

set #variable = value

Sets a new value to an existing variable.

#variable/path/path

If #variable is a record, lets you access child records using path notation.

If a part of the path refers to a field containing a foreign link (see Links ), the referenced record is automatically retrieved from the database, and subsequent fields will access values in that record.

&root/path/path

Allows access to any path in the database, from the root path.

&path/path[field=value]

A predicate on the path is surrounded by square brackets. The predicate specifies a filter in the path, which may be used when loading data from the database.

#var[field=value]

If #var is a variable that contains a list, then this expression evaluates to a subsection of the list that match the given predicate (field is value).