# initial proc

Source: https://ref.dm-lang.org/proc/initial

### Format
> `initial(Var)`

### Args
> Var: A variable to find the initial value of.

This returns the original compile-time value of a variable. It could be used to reset a variable to its default value or to check if a variable has changed.

```dm /initial/
obj/verb/set_icon(I as null|icon)
   if(!I) I = initial(icon)
   icon = I
```

This example allows an object's icon to be modified. If the user does not specify a new icon, it will be reset to the original one.

### See also
- [:: operator](https://ref.dm-lang.org/operator/coloncolon.md)
- [issaved proc](https://ref.dm-lang.org/proc/issaved.md)
- [vars list var (datum)](https://ref.dm-lang.org/datum/var/vars.md)