This function constructs a symbol whose name is the same as the string, and places that symbol into the symbol table. Subsequent calls to this function with the same string will result in the same symbol, preserving the uniqueness of the symbol. Special characters may be included in the symbol name.
Gamma> symbol("Strange symbol");
Strange\ symbol
Gamma> Strange\ symbol;
5
Gamma> symbol(string("item",2+3));
item5
Gamma>
See the PID Controller Class section of the PID Emulator chapter in the Cogent Tools Demo and Tutorials book for an example of this function used in context.