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url: /statelake/scripting-reference/statements/assignment.md
---

# Assignment

An **Assignment** statement allows a value to be stored to a variable specified within a **Script**.

It is a fundamental computer language construct that allows data to be saved inside the **Script** for future use. If data could not be stored in this way then it would be impossible for a **Script** to perform as it should.

The variable to be set is on the left hand side of the  := operator, with the value to set it to is on the right hand side, so that an **Assignment** has the structure \<variable> := \<expression>.

Make sure that the : (colon) proceeds the equal sign - it should not be confused with the = (equal) operator that is used to compare values.

Please also refer to [Operators](/statelake/scripting-reference/operators).

You may also wish to refer to [Variables](/statelake/scripting-reference/variables/) .

## Set A Variable To A Hard-coded Value

A simple **Assignment** statement sets an individual value to a scalar variable - this is just a variable that holds a single data value.

```pascal
procedure ScriptEvent (var Value : variant);
begin
  Value := 10;
end;
```

This example sets the Value parameter equal to 10. In this case the value 10 is hard-coded.

## Set A Variable To The Value Of Another Variable

A reference **Assignment** statement gets its value from within another variable.

```pascal
procedure ScriptEvent (var Value : variant);
 var MyFloatVariable : double;
begin
  MyFloatVariable := 10;
  Value := MyFloatVariable
end;
```

This example sets the Value parameter to the value of the **MyFloatVariable** variable.

## Set A Variable To The Result Of A Function

You can use a function to generate the value that is placed in the user variable.

```pascal
procedure ScriptEvent (var Value : variant);
begin
  Value := TaxAmount(200,12.5)
end;
```

This example sets the Value parameter to the result of the **TaxAmount** function, which calculates to 25, being (200 \* 12.5%).