LISP CHALLENGE - symbols created within routine

[bowlingbrad]

I cannot figure this one out so I thought I would post a challenge.

I have several lists created in a routine:
(setq layers-PLAN (list .....))
(setq layers-RCPL (list .....))
(setq layers-ELEV (list ...))
(setq layers-SECT (list ...))

I am trying to return these lists when a user clicks a radio button with key values as follows: (setq user_input $key)
PLAN
RCPL
ELEV
SECT

I know how to use the set command to SET an expression to a symbol.
(set (read (strcat "layers-" $key)) (list ....))

What I do not know is how to return a value by building a symbol from user input.
(setq user_input_layers (read (strcat "layers-" $key))) returns LAYERS-PLAN and not the predefined list.

Any help would be appreciated. If you help out, I'll put in a good word to Santa.

[_gile]

Hi,

Not sure having understood the request cause of my poor English, but may be with eval function ?

(setq user_input_layers (eval (read (strcat "layers-" $key))))

[TimSpangler]

how are the layers themselves named? it may be easier to just make one big list and (vl-sort) them to get what you need?

[bowlingbrad]

Hi,

Not sure having understood the request cause of my poor English, but may be with eval function ?

(setq user_input_layers (eval (read (strcat "layers-" $key))))

WOO HOO!!

I think you did it! I just had the eval function in the wrong place during my tests!!!

Thanks again. (Santa will be notified)