Variables

The first thing to cover are how variables differ. A variable in EZ-Script starts with a $ (dollar sign). A variable in JavaScript does not start with anything and can be named however you wish, as long as the first character is not a number. 

Assign Variable Example

EZ-Script Example
Here is an example of a variable being created in EZ-Script

Code:

$MyVariable = "Some text"

print($MyVariable)

JavaScript Equivalent
This is the equivalent of assigning a value to a JavaScript variable

Code:

var MyVariable = "Some text";

print(MyVariable);

*Note: Remember that variables are case-sensitive. This is covered in an previous step of this tutorial.

JavaScript Variables Are Not Global Across ARC

This is one difference that you must be aware of. When creating a variable in EZ-Script, the variable is accessible across all robot skills in ARC. However, when creating a variable in JavaScript, it is only accessible by that isolated script. To share variables across other robot skills, you will use the getVar() and setVar() commands. That will set a global variable with a value so other robot skills can see it.

In fact, setting and getting variables from the Global Variable storage will also work across EZ-Script variables. EZ-Script sets variables as global by default. So, if you assign a variable in EZ-Script, you can retrieve it in another robot skill using JavaScript with the getVar() command.


Example of Using Global Variables
If you have a variable that you would like to share with other robot skills, use the setVar() function. This will push the variable's current value into the global stack so it is available by other robot skills. 

Code:

var myVariable = "This is some text";

setVar("$myVariable", myVariable);

In that example, the global $myVariable will be assigned the value of JavaScript value of myVariable. This means that in another robot skill, you can retrieve that value.

Code:

var myVariable = getVar("$myVariable");

print(myVariable);

[head2]Global Variable Viewer[/head]
The global variable viewer will display all variables in ARC. By clicking on a variable, it will insert the setVar() command where the cursor is.