Interpretation semantics for this word are undefined.

( c-addr u -- )

When executed during compilation, (LOCAL) passes a message to the system that has one of two meanings. If u is non-zero, the message identifies a new local whose definition name is given by the string of characters identified by c-addr u. If u is zero, the message is "last local" and c-addr has no significance.

The result of executing (LOCAL) during compilation of a definition is to create a set of named local identifiers, each of which is a definition name, that only have execution semantics within the scope of that definition's source.

( -- x )

Push the local's value, x, onto the stack. The local's value is initialized as described in 13.3.3 Processing locals and may be changed by preceding the local's name with TO. An ambiguous condition exists when local is executed while in interpretation state.

( x -- )

Assign the value x to the local value local.

This word does not have special compilation semantics in the usual sense because it provides access to a system capability for use by other user-defined words that do have them. However, the locals facility as a whole and the sequence of messages passed defines specific usage rules with semantic implications that are described in detail in section 13.3.3 Processing locals.

This word is not intended for direct use in a definition to declare that definition's locals. It is instead used by system or user compiling words. These compiling words in turn define their own syntax, and may be used directly in definitions to declare locals. In this context, the syntax for (LOCAL) is defined in terms of a sequence of compile-time messages and is described in detail in section 13.3.3 Processing locals.

3.4 The Forth text interpreter and 6.2.2295 TO.