25.2.22 *, **, *** [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), Top level loop

Notes::

 *   ≡ (car /)
 **  ≡ (car //)
 *** ≡ (car ///)