===Variables===

Variables are how Wintermute stores information about the show((...alongside [[concepts:groups]] and [[concepts:dynamic_objects]], which are more suitable for audience tracking. Variables are designed to represent things in the show itself.)); they exist in the [[concepts:zones|zone]] tree structure. 

  * They are written in the form ''<zone>.<variable>''
  * A zone also has a status value: ''<zone>'' and ''<zone>.<status>'' are equivalent
  * They can we written to:
    * Through commands - either with [[commands:zone_commands:set]] or (if they're integers) [[commands:zone_commands:increment|incremented]].
    * Via [[concepts:udp_received_behaviour|incoming OSC]]
  * They are read:
    * As components of [[commands:command_syntax|conditional statements]]
    * Interpolated into commands as [[concepts:variables:references|variable references]]
    * Using [[concepts:variables:triggers]] to drive behaviour automatically from variable values

Generally, Wintermute also allows the use of the wildcard symbol - ''*'' - in referring to variables. For example:

''set: zone1.f* | bar''

...would set all variables in zone1 starting with "f" to "bar". This is a powerful feature and should be used with care! Note that wildcards do not work with [[concepts:variables:references]] - it will simple use the first result that matches, the behaviour of which is unpredictable. 

There is also a system of global system variables and special zone variables which is described [[concepts:variables:special|here]]