@value Example

You can use the @value command to minimize the number of places you need to change when you record an update to a manual. See GNU Sample Texts, for an example of this same principle can work with Automake distributions, and full texts.

Here is an example adapted from Overview):

1. Set the flags:

             @set EDITION 0.35 Beta
             @set VERSION 3.63 Beta
             @set UPDATED 14 August 1992
             @set UPDATE-MONTH August 1992
             

2. Write text for the @copying section (see copying):

             @copying
             This is Edition @value{EDITION},
             last updated @value{UPDATED},
             of @cite{The GNU Make Manual},
             for @code{make}, version @value{VERSION}.
             
             Copyright ...
             
             Permission is granted ...
             @end copying
             

3. Write text for the title page, for people reading the printed manual:

             @titlepage
             @title GNU Make
             @subtitle A Program for Directing Recompilation
             @subtitle Edition @value{EDITION}, ...
             @subtitle @value{UPDATE-MONTH}
             @page
             @insertcopying
             ...
             @end titlepage
             

   (On a printed cover, a date listing the month and the year looks less fussy than a date listing the day as well as the month and year.)

4. Write text for the Top node, for people reading the Info file:

             @ifnottex
             @node Top
             @top Make
             
             @insertcopying
             ...
             @end ifnottex
             

   After you format the manual, the @value constructs have been expanded, so the output contains text like this:

             This is Edition 0.35 Beta, last updated 14 August 1992,
             of `The GNU Make Manual', for `make', Version 3.63 Beta.
             

When you update the manual, you change only the values of the flags; you do not need to edit the three sections.