General ⇒ Defining and reusing variables

[sierra1bravo]

Dear all
How do I define a variable and then reuse it later in the document? Something like:

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\def\MyVariable{\value{fboxsep}}
\setlength{\fboxsep}{20pt}
%% Do some stuff

% Now restore the value
\setlength{\fboxsep}{\MyVariable}

Also, how can I define a variable in one place and reuse it as a parameter
in multiple places? For example, I have many charts in my document, and I'd
like to place their width into a variable so that I can change it in just one place. Something like

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\def\MyWidth{0.8\textwidth}
%%%%
\includegraphics[width=MyWidth]{newimages/p002.png} 

Thanks in advance

sb

[localghost]

The first problem is solved by defining a new length, setting it to \fboxsep and use it later on to reset \fboxsep.

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\newlength{\mylength}
\setlength{\mylength}{\fboxsep}   % Saving fboxsep into mylength
\setlength{\fboxsep}{20pt}
...
\setlength{\fboxsep}{\mylength}   % restoring fboxsep

The other issue is solved very similar to your approach.

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\newcommand*{\factor}{0.8}
\includegraphics[width=\factor\linewidth]{filename}
\includegraphics[scale=\factor]{filename}

Best regards
Thorsten¹

[sierra1bravo]

The first problem is solved by defining a new length, setting it to \fboxsep and use it later on to reset \fboxsep.

Code: Select all

\newlength{\mylength}
\setlength{\mylength}{\fboxsep}   % Saving fboxsep into mylength
\setlength{\fboxsep}{20pt}
...
\setlength{\fboxsep}{\mylength}   % restoring fboxsep

Best regards
Thorsten

Thanks very much. A related query: how can one achieve the following?

\newcommand*{\bufferspace}{8pt}

\vspace{\bufferspace}

[localghost]

[...] how can one achieve the following?

\newcommand*{\bufferspace}{8pt}

\vspace{\bufferspace}

You need to learn the difference between a command and a length.

Code: Select all

\newlength{\bufferspace}
\setlength{\bufferspace}{8pt}
\vspace{\bufferspace}

[phi]

Thanks very much. A related query: how can one achieve the following?

\newcommand*{\bufferspace}{8pt}

\vspace{\bufferspace}

This code is fine and works as expected. However, keep in mind that \vspace inside a paragraph adds vertical space after the current line, while after a paragraph it adds space between the last and the next paragraph.