kdb+: use string as variable name

Question

How can I use a string as a variable name?

I want my variable name to be constructed during runtime, but how can I use it as a left argument and assign a value to it?

Example:

[`$"test"] : 1              / 'assign error

Answer 1

You could use "set" but it will create a global:

q){(`$"test") set 1;test}[]
1
q)test
1

or (as noted by user2393012 in the comments):

@[`.;`test;:;1]

If you want to avoid globals you could use some sort of namespace/dictionary/mapping:

q){d:()!();d[`$"test"]:1;d`test}[]
1