+##############
+
+ # defines a variable within the feisty meow environment and remembers that
+ # this is a new or modified definition. if the feisty meow codebase is
+ # unloaded, then so are all the variables that were defined.
+ # this function always exports the variables it defines.
+ function define_yeti_variable()
+ {
+ #hmmm: simple implem just sets it up and exports the variable.
+ # i.e., this method always exports.
+ export "${@}"
+
+#hmmm: eventual approach-- if variable exists already, save old value for restore,
+# otherwise save null value for restore,
+# have to handle unsetting if there was no prior value of one
+# we newly defined.
+# add variable name to a list of feisty defined variables.
+
+return 0
+ }
+
+ # switches from an X:/ form to a /cygdrive/X/path form. this is only useful
+ # for the cygwin environment currently.
+ # defined here rather than in functions.sh since we need it when setting variables
+ # and cannot count on load order during a fresh startup in some circumstances.
+ function dos_to_unix_path() {
+ # we always remove dos slashes in favor of forward slashes.
+#old: echo "$1" | sed -e 's/\\/\//g' | sed -e 's/\([a-zA-Z]\):\/\(.*\)/\/\1\/\2/'
+ echo "$1" | sed -e 's/\\/\//g' | sed -e 's/\([a-zA-Z]\):\/\(.*\)/\/cygdrive\/\1\/\2/'
+ }
+
+
+