Re: [Groff] Unexpected String Variable Interpolation in MS Document

[Werner LEMBERG]

>    I am trying to figure the proper number of escapes required to
> store the section number of a numbered heading in an MS document in
> a file to resolve a forward reference.  [...]
>
> I empirically derived the three backslashes on the .write request
> and, although the proper section number is stored in /tmp/book, it
> is prefaced by a backslash:
>
>     $ cat /tmp/book
>     .ds CovAnalysisSectNumber \7.5.
>
> If I remove one backslash on the .write request:
>
>     .write SecondPassFile ".ds CASection \\*(SN
>
> \*(SN is not interpolated in the string variable definition in
> /tmp/book:
>
>     .ds CovAnalysisSectNumber \*(SN
>
> What am I doing wrong?

What about a single backslash:

  .write SecondPassFile ".ds CASection \*(SN

You aren't in a macro, so direct expansion seems to be correct.  Or am
I missing something?


    Werner