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The getType() Command

Command Summary Command Syntax Calculator Compatibility Token Size
Returns the variable type of a variable getType(variable) This command works on all calculators. 2 bytes

N/A

The getType() Command

The getType() command returns the type of a variable — number, string, function, etc. The output is a short string encoding the type of the variable.

:5→x
:getType(x)
           "NUM"
:{1,2,3}→x
:getType(x)
           "LIST"
:DelVar x
:getType(x)
           "NONE"

The specific values that getType() can return are:

  • "DATA" for a data variable
  • "EXPR" for a symbolic expression
  • "FUNC" for a function
  • "LIST" for a list
  • "MAT" for a matrix
  • "NONE" for an undefined variable
  • "NUM" for a number
  • "OTH" for an unknown variable type (usually assembly-related)
  • "PIC" for a picture
  • "PRGM" for a program
  • "STR" for a string
  • "TEXT" for a text file

Keep in mind that getType() cannot test the type of an expression, only a variable — so getType("Hello!") for example is invalid.

Advanced Uses

If possible, avoid comparing the result of getType() to an actual string. The risk here is that when the calculator is switched to a different language, the output of getType() changes language too. This is only a minor consideration. But if you already have a variable of the right type lying around, and you want to test an unknown variable, compare their getTypes(). For example:

:{1,2,3}→knownlst
:If getType(unknown)="LST"

can be

:{1,2,3}→knownlst
:If getType(unknown)=getType(knownlst)

This is occasionally, but not always, a size optimization as well, if the known variable has a short name.

Since getType() returns a result even for undefined variables, it can be used as a replacement for 68k:isVar(), which unlike getType() isn't present on all 68k calculator models.

Error Conditions

140 - Argument must be a variable name happens when the argument is not a variable name.

Authors: KG