Special Form Entry: COMMAND

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Special Form Entry: COMMAND

Name

command

Class

Special Form

Syntax

(command [args ...])

Arguments and Values

  • a sequence of command name and command input arguments

Description

Executes an AutoCAD command through the host command processor.

Evaluation Rules

Autodesk classifies command as a special form because its argument handling and command-loop interaction differ from ordinary function calls.

Return Values

Host-dependent command-execution result; exact return-value conventions are not fully formalized in the current source set.

Side Effects

  • executes a host command
  • may modify the drawing, system variables, user interaction state, and command stack

Affected By

  • current document state
  • command versioning
  • localization
  • PAUSE
  • *error* mode

Exceptional Situations

Command failure, invalid input, and command-loop state errors are host-dependent.

Compatibility

  • central AutoLISP host interaction facility
  • related to command-s

Notes

This is one of the clearest examples of an AutoLISP construct that cannot be reduced to pure Lisp evaluation semantics.

Availability

  • AutoCAD 2026: documented (per Autodesk reference page).
  • BricsCAD V26: presumed compatible (no contradicting page found).
  • Status: AutoCAD documented; BricsCAD presumed-both pending Phase 4 verification.

Source Notes