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#### 25.2.22 *, **, *** [Variable]

#### Value Type::

an object.

#### Initial Value::

implementation-dependent.

#### Description::

The variables *, **, and *** are maintained by the Lisp read-eval-print loop to save the values of results that are printed each time through the loop.

The value of * is the most recent primary value that was printed, the value of ** is the previous value of *, and the value of *** is the previous value of **.

If several values are produced, * contains the first value only; * contains nil if zero values are produced.

The values of *, **, and *** are updated immediately prior to printing the return value of a top-level form by the Lisp read-eval-print loop. If the evaluation of such a form is aborted prior to its normal return, the values of *, **, and *** are not updated.

#### Examples::

    (values 'a1 'a2) ⇒  A1, A2
    'b ⇒  B
    (values 'c1 'c2 'c3) ⇒  C1, C2, C3
    (list * ** ***) ⇒  (C1 B A1)

    (defun cube-root (x) (expt x 1/3)) ⇒  CUBE-ROOT
    (compile *) ⇒  CUBE-ROOT
    (setq a (cube-root 27.0)) ⇒  3.0
    (* * 9.0) ⇒  27.0

#### Affected By::

Lisp read-eval-print loop.

#### See Also::

- (variable), + (variable), / (variable), Top level loop

#### Notes::

     *   ≡ (car /)
     **  ≡ (car //)
     *** ≡ (car ///)