Scalar variables

A scalar is a single valued double precision real numeric variable. A scalar can be used wherever a single numeric value is expected. Indices have no meaning, and so are not allowed on scalars.

A literal scalar can be a single number, such as, `3.456`, or an expression that results in a single number, such as `LEN(x)+2`.

The following table shows the possible ways that variables can be considered to be equivalent to scalars, that is, can be used wherever scalars are expected.

Let `a` and `b` be scalars. Suppose that `M` is a matrix, `V` is a vector, and `S` is a scalar

`S` | = | the value of `S`
`V[a]` | = | the value stored in the `a`th element of `V`
`M[a,b]` | = | the value stored in row `a` and column `b` of `M`

Variable names
Vector variables