3.5 Variable References and #%top
Refers to a top-level, module-level, or local binding, when
id is
not bound as a transformer (see
Expansion). At run-time,
the reference evaluates to the value in the
location associated with
the binding.
When the expander encounters an id that is not bound by a
module-level or local binding, it converts the expression to
(#%top . id) giving #%top
the lexical context of the id; typically, that context refers
to #%top. See also Expansion Steps.
Examples:
Equivalent to
id when
id is bound to a module-level
or top-level variable. In a top-level context,
(#%top . id)
always refers to a top-level variable, even if
id is
unbound or otherwise bound.
Within a module form, (#%top . id) expands to just
id—with the obligation that id is defined within
the module and has no local binding in its context. At phase
level 0, (#%top . id) is an immediate syntax error if
id is not bound. At phase level 1 and higher, a syntax
error is reported if id is not defined at the corresponding
phase by the end of module-body partial expansion.
See also Expansion Steps for information on how the expander
introduces #%top identifiers.
Examples:
Changed in version 6.3 of package base: Changed the introduction of
#%top in a top-level context
to unbound identifiers only.