delete
==============================================

Purpose
----------------

Deletes global symbols from the symbol table.

Format
----------------
.. function:: delete [-flags] symbol_list

    :param flags: specify the type(s) of symbols to be deleted

        .. csv-table::
            :widths: auto

            "p", "procedures"
            "k", "keywords"
            "f", "fn functions"
            "m", "matrices"
            "s", "strings"
            "g", "only procedures with global references"
            "l", "only procedures with all local references"
            "n", "no pause for confirmation"

    :type flags: literal

    :param symbol: name of symbol to be deleted. If symbol ends in an asterisk, all symbols matching the leading characters will be deleted.
    :type symbol: literal

Examples
----------------

::

    // Create a matrix 'x'
    x = { 1, 2, 3, 4 };

    // 'show' returns information about active symbols
    show x;

This should return:

::

    32 bytes   x       MATRIX                 4,1

Now remove the matrix *x* from the workspace

::

    delete -m x;

At the ``Delete?[Yes No Previous Quit]`` prompt, enter ``y``.

::

    show x;

*x* no longer exists.

Remarks
-------

This completely and irrevocably deletes a symbol from GAUSS's memory and
workspace.

Flags must be preceded by a dash (e.g. ``-pfk``).

If the ``n`` (no pause) flag
is used, you will not be asked for confirmation for each symbol.

This command is supported only from interactive level. Since the
interpreter executes a compiled pseudo-code, this command would
invalidate a previously compiled code image and therefore would destroy
any program it was a part of.

If any symbols are deleted, all procedures, keywords and functions with global references to those
symbols will be deleted as well.