+#include "gettext.h"
+#define _(msgid) gettext (msgid)
+
+/* Returns an adjective describing the given variable TYPE,
+ suitable for use in phrases like "numeric variable". */
+const char *
+var_type_adj (enum var_type type)
+{
+ return type == NUMERIC ? _("numeric") : _("string");
+}
+
+/* Returns a noun describing a value of the given variable TYPE,
+ suitable for use in phrases like "a number". */
+const char *
+var_type_noun (enum var_type type)
+{
+ return type == NUMERIC ? _("number") : _("string");
+}
+
+/* Assign auxiliary data AUX to variable V, which must not
+ already have auxiliary data. Before V's auxiliary data is
+ cleared, AUX_DTOR(V) will be called. */
+void *
+var_attach_aux (struct variable *v,
+ void *aux, void (*aux_dtor) (struct variable *))
+{
+ assert (v->aux == NULL);
+ assert (aux != NULL);
+ v->aux = aux;
+ v->aux_dtor = aux_dtor;
+ return aux;
+}
+
+/* Remove auxiliary data, if any, from V, and returns it, without
+ calling any associated destructor. */
+void *
+var_detach_aux (struct variable *v)
+{
+ void *aux = v->aux;
+ assert (aux != NULL);
+ v->aux = NULL;
+ return aux;
+}
+
+/* Clears auxiliary data, if any, from V, and calls any
+ associated destructor. */
+void
+var_clear_aux (struct variable *v)
+{
+ assert (v != NULL);
+ if (v->aux != NULL)
+ {
+ if (v->aux_dtor != NULL)
+ v->aux_dtor (v);
+ v->aux = NULL;
+ }
+}
+
+/* This function is appropriate for use an auxiliary data
+ destructor (passed as AUX_DTOR to var_attach_aux()) for the
+ case where the auxiliary data should be passed to free(). */
+void
+var_dtor_free (struct variable *v)
+{
+ free (v->aux);
+}