I have defined an array variable with various surface parameters called L1(i,j)

for example:

L1(1,1) is the value of a curvature

L1(1,2) is the value of a thickness

I would like to use the numeric values of this array variable in a .ZPL so for instance I could say:

SETSURFACEPROPERTY  12, 2, L1(1,1)

but I see that I cannot use a variable that is a number for the value of the curvature., has to be converted to a STRING  Why the heck not, the curvature is not a string but IS a number?  Just another backward ancient programming ZEMAX thing. 

Anyway, I guess that the value of the lens parameter to set has to be a STRING, a number, or a numerical expression, not a variable?  So how do I convert L1(1,1) to a STRING to set the curvature parameter in the lens which is actually not a string but a number?  Retarded. 

I thank anyone for the time taken to help.  I tried to use the $STR(val) and FORMAT but loe and behold can’t get that to work.

Like $STR(L1(1,1)) gets rewarded an error message.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

As an aside, it’s like you can’t hardly do any lens-parameter-based math on the fly in a .ZPL.

If I want to set a variable to be the ratio of (thickness 2)/(thickness 1),  I have to define operands in a Merit Function that calculate to thickness 1 and thickness 2 and then do the ratio there and then call in the .ZPL the proper Merit Function row and column that has that ratio.  

I have to know the row,column.   So when I or anybody else comes back and looks at that macro, they have to figure out what is in Merit Function Row 2 Column 7.  Unless you add comments to every maco line.

in CodeV in the macro I write:

^ratio == (thi s2)/(thi s1)

what’s worng with that?  It;s like an English sentence.