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Much like the author of this question, I would like to automatically number some constants in my document. A relatively easy way to do this is by creating a new counter, assigning a label to each constant on its first use, and then referencing to it later in the document (see these answers).

However, I would like to be able to use my constants with the same command throughout the document, and number them based on first usage, so that the following examples would work:

Here are some constants $\C{first}, \C{second}$.

Later, we reference $\C{first}$.

Actually, we forgot that $\C{important}$ should come first!
Here are some constants $\C{first}, \C{second}$.

Later, we reference $\C{first}$.

Respectively resulting in:

Here are some constants $c_1, c_2$.

Later, we reference $c_1$.

Actually, we forgot that $c_1$ should come first! Here are some constants $c_2, c_3$.

Later, we reference $c_2$.

If it helps, you can assume I will be using the memoir class.

A.P.
  • 734
  • I've bad news for you: \C is not really a good choice for your command name, because \usepackage[unicode]{hyperref} would break the document. – egreg Sep 24 '20 at 08:02
  • @egreg Not to worry. I used \C in the question for conciseness, but in my document I used \const, which so far didn't result in any clashes. – A.P. Sep 24 '20 at 08:18

1 Answers1

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or with the first line uncommented

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\documentclass{memoir}

\newcounter{Ccnt}
\makeatletter
\newcommand\C[1]{%
@ifundefined{C-#1}%
  {\stepcounter{Ccnt}\expandafter\xdef\csname C-#1\endcsname{\arabic{Ccnt}}}%
  {}%
c_{\csname C-#1\endcsname}}
\makeatother
\begin{document}


%Actually, we forgot that $\C{important}$ should come first!
Here are some constants $\C{first}, \C{second}$.


Later, we reference $\C{first}$.


\end{document}
David Carlisle
  • 757,742