Numbering macros

Question

Possible Duplicate:
\newcommand name cannot include numbers, e.g., \Mycomand123

I'm trying something that I thought would be simple

\def\test{Hello}
\def\test2{Hello again}
\test
\test2

Since I cannot control the naming I need to do some hacks.

\catcode30 = 11
\catcode31 = 11
\catcode32 = 11

which works for 0 and 1 but not for 2

I have also tried the \catcode´1 etc with the same result.

I get a missing number treated as zero.

If anybody has any ideas on why or another solution to include numbers in the naming of defines it would be much appreciated

It would be useful to know a bit more about the use case here: it's possible to make numerals into 'letters', but will always be very awkward. — Joseph Wright, Jan 02 '13 at 13:21
my plan is to change em back. at the end of the def page, and also convert when needed. — Rasmus, Jan 02 '13 at 14:28

Leo Liu · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-02T16:56:10.643

2

For the original question:

Number 0, 1, 2 are 48, 49, 50 (decimal) in ASCII, not 30, 31, 32 (hexadecimal).
\catcode`1 should work, but not \catcode´1.
Save number 11 for later use, or use other tricks to access origin numbers. e.g. \def\x{\catcode...} \x

Anyway, it's usually not a good idea to change the catcodes of numbers.

edited Jan 02 '13 at 16:56

answered Jan 02 '13 at 14:06

Leo Liu

I know its no a good idea, but it is the only solution that i can find since i cannot change the name! – Rasmus Jan 02 '13 at 14:25
\catcode`1 works but not for 2 or 3 etc – Rasmus Jan 02 '13 at 14:28
3

the assignments for 2 3 etc don't work as having made 1 a letter it is no longer a number so can not be used to generate 11. – David Carlisle Jan 02 '13 at 16:44

1 Answers1