propper newbie question but what does the '$' symbol actually mean?

max-symbols

In a message box, the '$' character is usually followed by a number (1-9). In Max, this is what is called changeable or replaceable arguments. From the message reference page:

A dollar sign ($), followed immediately by a number in the range 1-9, is a changeable argument. This argument's value can be replaced by the corresponding item in a list received in the inlet. (Example: $2 stores the second item in a list as its value before sending out the contents of the message box.) The value of a changeable argument is initially 0.

In an object like [if] or [expr] (and some others), the '$' can be followed by a data type abbreviation (f(float), s(symbol), i(integer)). These are also considered changeable arguments and generally used as variables in an equation of some sort. Check out the reference entries for these objects for more info.

In a message box, the '$' character is usually followed by a number (1-9).  In Max, this is what is called changeable or replaceable arguments.  From the message reference page:

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A dollar sign ($), followed immediately by a number in the range 1-9, is a changeable argument. This argument's value can be replaced by the corresponding item in a list received in the inlet. (Example: $2 stores the second item in a list as its value before sending out the contents of the message box.) The value of a changeable argument is initially 0.
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In an object like [if] or [expr] (and some others), the '$' can be followed by a data type abbreviation (f(float), s(symbol), i(integer)).  These are also considered changeable arguments and generally used as variables in an equation of some sort.  Check out the reference entries for these objects for more info.

Not the best patch to show you on but I am at uni at the moment

oops best go by what ben says I have explained the principle quite confusingly

thanks for the help guys it makes sense now

thanks for the help guys it makes sense now
Cheers again


Max Symbols $