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OS X syntax : Array Variables

tcsh provides one-dimensional array variables. Any variable may be used as an array; the set builtin will explicitly declare an array.

An array is created automatically if any variable is assigned to using the syntax

set name[subscript]=word ...

The subscript is treated as an arithmetic expression that must evaluate to a number greater than or equal to zero.

The tcsh shell also provides the following syntax:

   @                     Print the values of all shell variables.

   @ name = expr         Assign the value of expr to name.

   @ name[index] = expr  Assign the value of expr to the index'th component of name
                         both name and its index'th component must already exist.

   @ name++|--           Increment (`++') or decrement (`--') name

   @ name[index]++|--    Increment (`++') or decrement (`--') its index'th component.

expr may contain the operators `*', `+', etc., as in C. If expr contains `<', `>', `&' or `' then at least that part of expr must be placed within `()'.

The space between `@' and name is required.

The spaces between name and `=' and between `=' and expr are optional.

Components of expr must be separated by spaces.

Referencing an array variable without a subscript is equivalent to referencing element zero.

The unset builtin is used to destroy arrays:
unset name[subscript] destroys the array element at index subscript.
unset name, where name is an array, removes the entire array.

Related commands:

set - Set a shell variable = value
setenv - Set an environment variable = value
unset - Remove variable or function names
unsetenv Remove environment variable

Related commands:

OS X Syntax



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Simon Sheppard
SS64.com