

   AAssssiiggnn aa VVaalluuee ttoo aa NNaammee

        assign(x, value, pos = -1, envir = sys.frame(sys.parent()),
               inherits = FALSE, immediate = TRUE)

   AArrgguummeennttss::

          x: a variable name (given as a quoted string).

      value: a value to be assigned to `x'.

        pos: ???

      envir: the environent in which to assign.  The default is
             the environment where the call to `assign' takes
             place.

   inherits: should the enclosing frames of the environment be
             inspected?

   immediate: an ignored compatibility feature.

   VVaalluuee::

        This function is invoked for its side effect, which is
        assigning `value' to the variable `x'.  If no `envir'
        is specified, then the assignment takes place in the
        currently active environment.

        If `inherits' is `TRUE', parents of the supplied envi-
        ronment are searched until the variable `x' is encoun-
        tered.  The value is then assigned in the environment
        in which the variable is encountered.  If the symbol is
        not encountered then assignment takes place in the
        global environment.

        If `inherits' is `FALSE', assigment takes place in the
        initial frame of `envir'.

