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@value Example

You can use the @value command to minimize the number of places you need to change when you record an update to a manual. See GNU Sample Texts, for an example of this same principle can work with Automake distributions, and full texts.

Here is an example adapted from Overview):

1. Set the flags:
   

   @set EDITION 0.35 Beta
   @set VERSION 3.63 Beta
   @set UPDATED 14 August 1992
   @set UPDATE-MONTH August 1992
   

2. Write text for the @copying section (see copying):
   

   @copying
   This is Edition @value{EDITION},
   last updated @value{UPDATED},
   of @cite{The GNU Make Manual},
   for @code{make}, version @value{VERSION}.
   
   Copyright ...
   
   Permission is granted ...
   @end copying
   

3. Write text for the title page, for people reading the printed manual:
   

   @titlepage
   @title GNU Make
   @subtitle A Program for Directing Recompilation
   @subtitle Edition @value{EDITION}, ...
   @subtitle @value{UPDATE-MONTH}
   @page
   @insertcopying
   ...
   @end titlepage
   

   (On a printed cover, a date listing the month and the year looks less fussy than a date listing the day as well as the month and year.)

4. Write text for the Top node, for people reading the Info file:
   

   @ifnottex
   @node Top
   @top Make
   
   @insertcopying
   ...
   @end ifnottex
   

   After you format the manual, the @value constructs have been expanded, so the output contains text like this:
   

   This is Edition 0.35 Beta, last updated 14 August 1992,
   of `The GNU Make Manual', for `make', Version 3.63 Beta.
   

When you update the manual, you change only the values of the flags; you do not need to edit the three sections.