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<div class="section-level-extent" id="Strings">
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<p>
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<hr>
<h3 class="section" id="Strings-1">5.22 Strings</h3>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-strings"></a>

<p>GNU <code class="code">troff</code> supports strings primarily for user convenience.
Conventionally, if one would define a macro only to interpolate a small
amount of text, without invoking requests or calling any other macros,
one defines a string instead.  Only one string is predefined by the
language.
</p>
<dl class="first-deffn">
<dt class="deffn" id="index-_005c_002a_005b_002eT_005d"><span class="category-def">String: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">\*[.T]</code></strong><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_005c_002a_005b_002eT_005d'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-_002eT"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-_002eT-1"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-output-device-name-string-_0028_002eT_0029-1"></a>
<p>Contains the name of the output device (for example, &lsquo;<samp class="samp">utf8</samp>&rsquo; or
&lsquo;<samp class="samp">pdf</samp>&rsquo;).
</p></dd></dl>

<p>The <code class="code">ds</code> request creates a string with a specified name and
contents and the <code class="code">\*</code> escape sequence dereferences its name,
interpolating its contents.  If the string named by the <code class="code">\*</code> escape
sequence does not exist, it is defined as empty, nothing is
interpolated, and a warning in category &lsquo;<samp class="samp">mac</samp>&rsquo; is emitted.
See <a class="xref" href="Warnings.html">Warnings</a>, for information about the enablement and suppression of
warnings.
</p>
<dl class="first-deffn">
<dt class="deffn" id="index-_002eds-1"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.ds</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">name [<span class="r"><i class="slanted">contents</i></span>]</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002eds-1'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-ds-1"></a>
</dd><dt class="deffnx def-cmd-deffn" id="index-_002eds1"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.ds1</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">name [<span class="r"><i class="slanted">contents</i></span>]</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002eds1'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-ds1"></a>
</dd><dt class="deffnx def-cmd-deffn" id="index-_005c_002an"><span class="category-def">Escape&nbsp;sequence: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">\*</code><span class="r"><i class="slanted">n</i></span><code class="t"></code></strong><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_005c_002an'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-_005c_002a"></a>
</dd><dt class="deffnx def-cmd-deffn" id="index-_005c_002a_0028nm"><span class="category-def">Escape&nbsp;sequence: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">\*(</code><span class="r"><i class="slanted">nm</i></span><code class="t"></code></strong><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_005c_002a_0028nm'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dt class="deffnx def-cmd-deffn" id="index-_005c_002a_005bname-_005barg1-arg2-_2026_005d_005d"><span class="category-def">Escape&nbsp;sequence: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">\*[</code><span class="r"><i class="slanted">name <span class="sansserif">[</span>arg1 arg2 &hellip;<span class="sansserif">]</span></i></span><code class="t">]</code></strong><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_005c_002a_005bname-_005barg1-arg2-_2026_005d_005d'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-string-interpolation-_0028_005c_002a_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-string-expansion-_0028_005c_002a_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-interpolation-of-strings-_0028_005c_002a_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-expansion-of-strings-_0028_005c_002a_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-string-arguments"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-arguments_002c-to-strings"></a>
<p>Define a string called <var class="var">name</var> with contents <var class="var">contents</var>.  If
<var class="var">name</var> already exists as an alias, the target of the alias is
redefined; see <code class="code">als</code> and <code class="code">rm</code> below.  If <code class="code">ds</code> is called
with only one argument, <var class="var">name</var> is defined as an empty string.
Otherwise, GNU <code class="code">troff</code> stores <var class="var">contents</var> in copy
mode.<a class="footnote" id="DOCF87" href="groff.html_fot.html#FOOT87"><sup>87</sup></a>
</p>
<p>The <code class="code">\*</code> escape sequence interpolates a previously defined string
variable <var class="var">name</var> (one-character name&nbsp;<var class="var">n</var>, two-character name
<var class="var">nm</var>).  The bracketed interpolation form accepts arguments that are
handled as macro arguments are; recall <a class="ref" href="Calling-Macros.html">Calling Macros</a>.  In
contrast to macro calls, however, if a closing bracket &lsquo;<samp class="samp">]</samp>&rsquo; occurs
in a string argument, that argument must be enclosed in double quotes.
<code class="code">\*</code> is interpreted even in copy mode.  When defining strings,
argument interpolations must be escaped if they are to reference
parameters from the calling context; See <a class="xref" href="Parameters.html">Parameters</a>.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.ds cite (\\$1, \\$2)
Gray codes are explored in \*[cite Morgan 1998].
    &rArr; Gray codes are explored in (Morgan, 1998).
</pre></div></div>


<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-trailing-spaces-in-string-definitions-and-appendments"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-comments_002c-with-ds"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-ds-request_002c-and-comments"></a>
<p><strong class="strong">Caution:</strong> Unlike other requests, the second argument to the
<code class="code">ds</code> request consumes the remainder of the input line, including
trailing spaces.  This means that comments on a line with such a request
can introduce unwanted space into a string when they are set off from
the material they annotate, as is conventional.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.ds H2O H\v'+.3m'\s'-2'2\v'-.3m'\s0O \&quot; water
</pre></div></div>

<p>Instead, place the comment on another line or put the comment escape
sequence immediately adjacent to the last character of the string.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.ds H2O H\v'+.3m'\s'-2'2\v'-.3m'\s0O\&quot; water
</pre></div></div>

<p>Ending string definitions (and appendments) with a comment, even an
empty one, prevents unwanted space from creeping into them during source
document maintenance.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.ds author Alice Pleasance Liddell\&quot;
.ds empty \&quot; might be appended to later with .as
</pre></div></div>

<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-trailing-double-quotes-in-strings"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-double-quotes_002c-trailing_002c-in-strings"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-ds-request_002c-and-double-quotes"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-leading-spaces-with-ds"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-spaces-with-ds"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-ds-request_002c-and-leading-spaces"></a>
<p>An initial neutral double quote <code class="code">&quot;</code> in <var class="var">contents</var> is stripped
to allow embedding of leading spaces.  Any other <code class="code">&quot;</code> is interpreted
literally, but it is wise to use the special character escape sequence
<code class="code">\[dq]</code> instead if the string might be interpolated as part of a
macro argument; see <a class="ref" href="Calling-Macros.html">Calling Macros</a>.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.ds salutation &quot;         Yours in a white wine sauce,\&quot;
.ds c-var-defn &quot;  char mydate[]=\[dq]2020-07-29\[dq];\&quot;
</pre></div></div>

<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-multi_002dline-strings"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-strings_002c-multi_002dline"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-newline-character_002c-in-strings_002c-escaping"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-escaping-newline-characters_002c-in-strings"></a>
<p>Strings are not limited to a single input line of text.
<code class="code">\<kbd class="key">RET</kbd></code> works just as it does elsewhere.  The resulting string
is stored <em class="emph">without</em> the newlines.  Care is therefore required when
interpolating strings while filling is disabled.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.ds foo This string contains \
text on multiple lines \
of input.
</pre></div></div>

<p>It is not possible to embed a newline in a string that will be
interpreted as such when the string is interpolated.  To achieve that
effect, use <code class="code">\*</code> to interpolate a macro instead; see <a class="ref" href="Punning-Names.html">Punning Names</a>.
</p>
<p>Because strings are similar to macros, they too can be defined so as to
suppress AT&amp;T <code class="code">troff</code> compatibility mode when used; see
<a class="ref" href="Writing-Macros.html">Writing Macros</a> and <a class="ref" href="Compatibility-Mode.html">Compatibility Mode</a>.  The <code class="code">ds1</code>
request defines a string such that compatibility mode is off when the
string is later interpolated.  To be more precise, a <em class="dfn">compatibility
save</em> input token is inserted at the beginning of the string, and a
<em class="dfn">compatibility restore</em> input token at the end.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.nr xxx 12345
.ds aa The value of xxx is \\n[xxx].
.ds1 bb The value of xxx is \\n[xxx].
.
.cp 1
.
\*(aa
    error&rarr; warning: register '[' not defined
    &rArr; The value of xxx is 0xxx].
\*(bb
    &rArr; The value of xxx is 12345.
</pre></div></div>
</dd></dl>

<dl class="first-deffn">
<dt class="deffn" id="index-_002eas"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.as</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">name [<span class="r"><i class="slanted">contents</i></span>]</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002eas'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-as"></a>
</dd><dt class="deffnx def-cmd-deffn" id="index-_002eas1"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.as1</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">name [<span class="r"><i class="slanted">contents</i></span>]</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002eas1'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-as1"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-appending-to-a-string-_0028as_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-string_002c-appending-_0028as_0029"></a>
<p>The <code class="code">as</code> request is similar to <code class="code">ds</code> but appends <var class="var">contents</var>
to the string stored as <var class="var">name</var> instead of redefining it.  If
<var class="var">name</var> doesn&rsquo;t exist yet, it is created.  If <code class="code">as</code> is called
with only one argument, no operation is performed (beyond dereferencing
the string).
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.as salutation &quot; with shallots, onions and garlic,\&quot;
</pre></div></div>

<p>The <code class="code">as1</code> request is similar to <code class="code">as</code>, but compatibility mode
is switched off when the appended portion of the string is later
interpolated.  To be more precise, a <em class="dfn">compatibility save</em> input
token is inserted at the beginning of the appended string, and a
<em class="dfn">compatibility restore</em> input token at the end.
</p></dd></dl>

<p>Several requests exist to perform rudimentary string operations.
Strings can be queried (<code class="code">length</code>) and modified (<code class="code">chop</code>,
<code class="code">substring</code>, <code class="code">stringup</code>, <code class="code">stringdown</code>), and their names
can be manipulated through renaming, removal, and aliasing (<code class="code">rn</code>,
<code class="code">rm</code>, <code class="code">als</code>).
</p>
<dl class="first-deffn">
<dt class="deffn" id="index-_002elength"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.length</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">reg anything</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002elength'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-length"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-length-of-a-string-_0028length_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-string_002c-length-of-_0028length_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-length-request_002c-and-copy-mode"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-copy-mode_002c-and-length-request"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-mode_002c-copy_002c-and-length-request"></a>
<p>Compute the number of characters of <var class="var">anything</var> and store the count
in the register <var class="var">reg</var>.  If <var class="var">reg</var> doesn&rsquo;t exist, it is created.
<var class="var">anything</var> is read in copy mode.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.ds xxx abcd\h'3i'efgh
.length yyy \*[xxx]
\n[yyy]
    &rArr; 14
</pre></div></div>
</dd></dl>

<dl class="first-deffn">
<dt class="deffn" id="index-_002echop"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.chop</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">object</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002echop'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-chop"></a>
<p>Remove the last character from the macro, string, or diversion named
<var class="var">object</var>.  This is useful for removing the newline from the end of a
diversion that is to be interpolated as a string.  This request can be
used repeatedly on the same <var class="var">object</var>; see <a class="ref" href="Gtroff-Internals.html"><code class="code">gtroff</code> Internals</a>,
for details on nodes inserted additionally by GNU <code class="code">troff</code>.
</p></dd></dl>

<dl class="first-deffn">
<dt class="deffn" id="index-_002esubstring"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.substring</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">str start [<span class="r"><i class="slanted">end</i></span>]</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002esubstring'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-substring"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-substring-_0028substring_0029"></a>
<p>Replace the string named <var class="var">str</var> with its substring bounded by the
indices <var class="var">start</var> and <var class="var">end</var>, inclusively.  The first character in
the string has index&nbsp;0.  If <var class="var">end</var> is omitted, it is implicitly
set to the largest valid value (the string length minus one).  Negative
indices count backward from the end of the string: the last character
has index&nbsp;&minus;1, the character before the last has
index&nbsp;&minus;2, and so on.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.ds xxx abcdefgh
.substring xxx 1 -4
\*[xxx]
    &rArr; bcde
.substring xxx 2
\*[xxx]
    &rArr; de
</pre></div></div>
</dd></dl>

<dl class="first-deffn">
<dt class="deffn" id="index-_002estringdown"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.stringdown</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">str</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002estringdown'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-stringdown"></a>
</dd><dt class="deffnx def-cmd-deffn" id="index-_002estringup"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.stringup</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">str</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002estringup'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-stringup"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-case_002dtransforming-a-string-_0028stringdown_002c-stringup_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-uppercasing-a-string-_0028stringup_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-lowercasing-a-string-_0028stringdown_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-up_002dcasing-a-string-_0028stringup_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-down_002dcasing-a-string-_0028stringdown_0029"></a>
<p>Alter the string named <var class="var">str</var> by replacing each of its bytes with its
lowercase (<code class="code">stringdown</code>) or uppercase (<code class="code">stringup</code>) version (if
one exists).  Special characters in the string will often transform in
the expected way due to the regular naming convention for accented
characters.  When they do not, use substrings and/or catenation.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.ds resume R\['e]sum\['e]
\*[resume]
.stringdown resume
\*[resume]
.stringup resume
\*[resume]
    &rArr; Rsum rsum RSUM
</pre></div></div>
</dd></dl>

<p>(In practice, we would end the <code class="code">ds</code> request with a comment escape
<code class="code">\&quot;</code> to prevent space from creeping into the definition during
source document maintenance.)
</p>
<dl class="first-deffn">
<dt class="deffn" id="index-_002ern"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.rn</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">old new</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002ern'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-rn"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-renaming-request-_0028rn_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-request_002c-renaming-_0028rn_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-renaming-macro-_0028rn_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-macro_002c-renaming-_0028rn_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-renaming-string-_0028rn_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-string_002c-renaming-_0028rn_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-renaming-diversion-_0028rn_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-diversion_002c-renaming-_0028rn_0029"></a>
<p>Rename the request, macro, diversion, or string <var class="var">old</var> to <var class="var">new</var>.
</p></dd></dl>

<dl class="first-deffn">
<dt class="deffn" id="index-_002erm"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.rm</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">name</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002erm'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-rm"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-removing-request-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-request_002c-removing-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-removing-macro-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-macro_002c-removing-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-removing-string-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-string_002c-removing-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-removing-diversion-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-diversion_002c-removing-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<p>Remove the request, macro, diversion, or string <var class="var">name</var>.  GNU
<code class="code">troff</code> treats subsequent invocations as if the name had never
been defined.
</p></dd></dl>

<a class="anchor" id="als"></a><dl class="first-deffn">
<dt class="deffn" id="index-_002eals"><span class="category-def">Request: </span><span><strong class="def-name"><code class="t">.als</code></strong> <var class="def-var-arguments">new old</var><a class="copiable-link" href='#index-_002eals'> &para;</a></span></dt>
<dd><a class="index-entry-id" id="index-als"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-alias_002c-string_002c-creating-_0028als_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-alias_002c-macro_002c-creating-_0028als_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-alias_002c-diversion_002c-creating-_0028als_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-creating-alias_002c-for-string-_0028als_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-creating-alias_002c-for-macro-_0028als_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-creating-alias_002c-for-diversion-_0028als_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-string_002c-creating-alias-for-_0028als_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-macro_002c-creating-alias-for-_0028als_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-diversion_002c-creating-alias-for-_0028als_0029"></a>
<p>Create an alias <var class="var">new</var> for the existing request, string, macro, or
diversion object named <var class="var">old</var>, causing the names to refer to the same
stored object.  If <var class="var">old</var> is undefined, a warning in category
&lsquo;<samp class="samp">mac</samp>&rsquo; is produced, and the request is ignored.  See <a class="xref" href="Warnings.html">Warnings</a>,
for information about the enablement and suppression of warnings.
</p>
<p>To understand how the <code class="code">als</code> request works, consider two different
storage pools: one for objects (macros, strings, etc.), and another
for names.  As soon as an object is defined, GNU <code class="code">troff</code> adds it to
the object pool, adds its name to the name pool, and creates a link
between them.  When <code class="code">als</code> creates an alias, it adds a new name to
the name pool that gets linked to the same object as the old name.
</p>
<p>Now consider this example.
</p>
<div class="example">
<div class="group"><pre class="example-preformatted">.de foo
..
.
.als bar foo
.
.de bar
.  foo
..
.
.bar
    error&rarr; input stack limit exceeded (probable infinite
    error&rarr; loop)
</pre></div></div>

<p>In the above, <code class="code">bar</code> remains an <em class="emph">alias</em>&mdash;another name
for&mdash;the object referred to by <code class="code">foo</code>, which the second <code class="code">de</code>
request replaces.  Alternatively, imagine that the <code class="code">de</code> request
<em class="emph">dereferences</em> its argument before replacing it.  Either way, the
result of calling <code class="code">bar</code> is a recursive loop that finally leads to
an error.  See <a class="xref" href="Writing-Macros.html">Writing Macros</a>.
</p>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-alias_002c-string_002c-removing-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-alias_002c-macro_002c-removing-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-alias_002c-diversion_002c-removing-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-removing-alias_002c-for-string-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-removing-alias_002c-for-macro-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-removing-alias_002c-for-diversion-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-string_002c-removing-alias-for-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-macro_002c-removing-alias-for-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<a class="index-entry-id" id="index-diversion_002c-removing-alias-for-_0028rm_0029"></a>
<p>To remove an alias, call <code class="code">rm</code> on its name.  The object itself is
not destroyed until it has no more names.
</p>
<p>When a request, macro, string, or diversion is aliased, redefinitions
and appendments &ldquo;write through&rdquo; alias names.  To replace an alias with
a separately defined object, you must use the <code class="code">rm</code> request on its
name first.
</p></dd></dl>



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