14.5.2 Variables and Similar Entities

Here are the commands for defining variables and similar entities:

@defvr category name

The @defvr command is a general definition command for something like a variable—an entity that records a value. You must choose a term to describe the category of entity being defined; for example, “Variable” could be used if the entity is a variable. Write the @defvr command at the beginning of a line and follow it on the same line by the category of the entity and the name of the entity.

We recommend capitalizing the category name like a title. If the name of the category contains spaces, as in the name “User Option”, enclose it in braces. Otherwise, the second word will be mistaken for the name of the entity. For example,

@defvr {User Option} fill-column
This buffer-local variable specifies
the maximum width of filled lines.
…
@end defvr

Terminate the definition with @end defvr on a line of its own.

The template is:

@defvr category name
body-of-definition
@end defvr

@defvr creates an entry in the index of variables for name.

@defvar name

The @defvar command is the definition command for variables. @defvar is equivalent to ‘@defvr Variable …’.

For example:

@defvar kill-ring
…
@end defvar

The template is:

@defvar name
body-of-definition
@end defvar

@defvar creates an entry in the index of variables for name.

@defopt name

The @defopt command is the definition command for user options, i.e., variables intended for users to change according to taste; Emacs has many such (see Variables in The GNU Emacs Manual). @defopt is equivalent to ‘@defvr {User Option} …’ and works like @defvar. It creates an entry in the index of variables.