---
title: "s.variable-name"
description: "## Syntax **s.variable-name** ## Purpose The s.variable-name annotation is used to tag a span element as being the generic name of a variable.   For the annotation to tag a span element as a variable within a syntax diagram, see…"
url: "https://www.stilo.com/docs/migrate/task/s-variable-name/"
updated: "2023-12-11"
category: Annotations / Task
tags:
  - Annotations
---

# s.variable-name

## Syntax

**s.variable-name**

## Purpose

The s.variable-name annotation is used to tag a span element as being the generic name of a variable.

 

For the annotation to tag a span element as a variable within a syntax diagram, see s.syntax.variable.

## Example

The following is an example of a time when you might want to use the annotation

![](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/stilo-dita-xml-annotation-s.variable-name0.png)

 

The following is an example of a rule that will apply the annotation

![](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/stilo-dita-xml-annotation-s.variable-name1.png)

The following is the DITA XML output for the rule:

<p>When the user enters <userinput>&lt;program name>!Start</userinput>, GOS will attempt to launch the specified program. In this input, **<varname>&lt;program name></varname>** is a variable for the name of the program that the user is attempting to launch.</p>