AIML <set> & <get> Tags

AIML <set> and <get> tags are used by the chatbot to interact with users to create more personalized responses.

AIML <set> Tag

The <set> tag is used to set the value of a variable. In AIML, variables are used to store and manipulate data. It helps the chatbot or conversational agent to remember information.

Syntax:

 <set name="variable_name">value_to_set</set>

Now you know, <set> is used to set the value to a variable. So, for example, if the chatbot asks the user what is your favorite color and the user replies with violet, the chatbot needs to store this information in a variable for future use. For this purpose, the <set> tag is used.

Example 1: Here is an example to illustrate how to use <set> tag.

XML

<category>
  <pattern>My favorite color is *</pattern>
  <template>
    <set name="favorite_color"><star/></set>
    Thank you for letting me know that your favorite color is
    <get name="favorite_color"/>
  </template>
</category>

Example 2: In a similar way, the <set> tag can be used to store the age of the user.

XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<aiml version="2.0">
  <category>
    <pattern>My age is *</pattern>
    <template>
      <set name="user_age"><star/></set>
      Thank you for providing your age.
      You are <get name="user_age"/> years old.
    </template>
  </category>

  <category>
    <pattern>How old am I?</pattern>
    <template>You are <get name="user_age"/> years old.</template>
  </category>

  <category>
    <pattern>*</pattern>
    <template>I'm sorry, I don't understand that.</template>
  </category>
</aiml>

AIML <get> Tag

The <get> tag is used to retrieve the value which was stored in the variable using <set> tag. In AIML, it helps chatbots and conversational agents to access and use information that has been stored in variables during the course of a conversation.

Syntax:

<get name="variable_name"/>

Example 1: Suppose, a user have set his name to “Rohan” using <set> tag. Now he wants to retrieve the stored value. This can be done using the <get> tag.

XML

<category>
  <pattern>What is my name?</pattern>
  <template>Your name is <get name="user_name"/>.</template>
</category>

Output: The value of user_name is retrieved using <get> tag.

User: What is my name?
Chatbot: Your name is Rohan.

Example 2: In a similiar way, <get> tag can be used to retrieve value of the favourite place stored by the chatbot.

XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<aiml version="2.0">
    <category>
    <pattern>My favorite food is *</pattern>
    <template>
      <set name="favorite_food"><star/></set>
      Thank you for sharing your favorite food. You love
      <get name="favorite_food"/>!
    </template>
  </category>
  <category>
    <pattern>What is my favorite food?</pattern>
    <template>Your favorite food is
      <get name="favorite_food"/>.</template>
  </category>
  <category>
    <pattern>*</pattern>
    <template>I'm sorry, I don't understand that.</template>
  </category>
</aiml>

Note: The <set> tag is used to store data in variables during a conversation, while the <get> tag is used to retrieve and use that data in responses.