The value of a variable can be changed as assembly proceeds. Variables are local to the assembler. This means that in the generated code or data, every instance of the variable has a fixed value.

The type of a variable cannot be changed. Variables are one of the following types:

• Numeric.

• Logical.

• String.

The range of possible values of a numeric variable is the same as the range of possible values of a numeric constant or numeric expression.

The possible values of a logical variable are {TRUE} or {FALSE}.

The range of possible values of a string variable is the same as the range of values of a string expression.

Use the GBLA, GBLL, GBLS, LCLA, LCLL, and LCLS directives to declare symbols representing variables, and assign values to them using the SETA, SETL, and SETS directives.

Example

a    SETA 100
L1   MOV R1, #(a*5) ; In the object file, this is MOV R1, #500
a    SETA 200       ; Value of 'a' is 200 only after this point. 
                    ; The previous instruction is always MOV R1, #500
     …
     BNE L1         ; When the processor branches to L1, it executes 
                    ; MOV R1, #500