[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
[FUNCTION]
Read a list of variables, specified either as a list of symbols or a string listing variables in the form of a commaseparated list, delimited by [,]