Assignments (MIT/GNU Scheme 11.0.90)

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### 2.5 Assignments

extended standard special form: set! variable [expression]

  If expression is specified, evaluates expression and stores the resulting value in the location to which variable is bound. If expression is omitted, variable is altered to be unassigned; a subsequent reference to such a variable is an error. In either case, the value of the `set!` expression is unspecified.

  Variable must be bound either in some region enclosing the `set!` expression, or at the top level. However, variable is permitted to be unassigned when the `set!` form is entered.

      (define x 2)                            ⇒  unspecified
      (+ x 1)                                 ⇒  3
      (set! x 4)                              ⇒  unspecified
      (+ x 1)                                 ⇒  5

  Variable may be an `access` expression (see Environments). This allows you to assign variables in an arbitrary environment. For example,

      (define x (let ((y 0)) (the-environment)))
      (define y 'a)
      y                                       ⇒  a
      (access y x)                            ⇒  0
      (set! (access y x) 1)                   ⇒  unspecified
      y                                       ⇒  a
      (access y x)                            ⇒  1