@value Example

You can use the @value command to limit the number of places you need to change when you record an update to a manual. Here is how it is done in The GNU Make Manual:

Set the flags:

@set EDITION 0.35 Beta
@set VERSION 3.63 Beta
@set UPDATED 14 August 1992
@set UPDATE-MONTH August 1992

Write text for the first @ifinfo section, for people reading the Texinfo file:

This is Edition @value{EDITION}, 
last updated @value{UPDATED},
of @cite{The GNU Make Manual}, 
for @code{make}, Version @value{VERSION}.

Write text for the title page, for people reading the printed manual:

@title GNU Make
@subtitle A Program for Directing Recompilation
@subtitle Edition @value{EDITION}, ...
@subtitle @value{UPDATE-MONTH}

(On a printed cover, a date listing the month and the year looks less fussy than a date listing the day as well as the month and year.)

Write text for the Top node, for people reading the Info file:

This is Edition @value{EDITION} 
of the @cite{GNU Make Manual},
last updated @value{UPDATED}
for @code{make} Version @value{VERSION}.

After you format the manual, the text in the first @ifinfo section looks like this:

This is Edition 0.35 Beta, last updated 14 August 1992, 
of `The GNU Make Manual', for `make', Version 3.63 Beta.

When you update the manual, change only the values of the flags; you do not need to rewrite the three sections.