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Variable *, **, ***

Value Type:

an object.

Initial Value:

implementation-dependent.

Description:

The variables *, **, and *** are maintained by the Lisp read-eval-print loop to save the values of results that are printed each time through the loop.

The value of * is the most recent primary value that was printed, the value of ** is the previous value of *, and the value of *** is the previous value of **.

If several values are produced, * contains the first value only; * contains nil if zero values are produced.

The values of *, **, and *** are updated immediately prior to printing the return value of a top-level form by the Lisp read-eval-print loop. If the evaluation of such a form is aborted prior to its normal return, the values of *, **, and *** are not updated.

Examples:

    (values 'a1 'a2) =>  A1, A2
    'b =>  B
    (values 'c1 'c2 'c3) =>  C1, C2, C3
    (list * ** ***) =>  (C1 B A1)

    (defun cube-root (x) (expt x 1/3)) =>  CUBE-ROOT
    (compile *) =>  CUBE-ROOT
    (setq a (cube-root 27.0)) =>  3.0
    (* * 9.0) =>  27.0

Affected By:

Lisp read-eval-print loop.

See Also:

- (variable), + (variable), / (variable), Section 25.1.1 (Top level loop)

Notes:

     *   ==  (car /)
     **  ==  (car //)
     *** ==  (car ///)

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