if( p2 ) {// process the variable index
        const char* p3 = NULL;
 
        // push the getelementofarray method into the stack
        add_scriptl(buildin_getelementofarray_ref);
        add_scriptc(C_ARG);
        add_scriptl(word);
 
        // process the sub-expression for this assignment
        p3 = script->parse_subexpr(p2 + 1, 1);
        p3 = script->skip_space(p3);
 
        if( *p3 != ']' ) {// closing parenthesis is required for this script
            disp_error_message("Missing closing ']' parenthesis for the variable assignment.", p3);
        }
 
        // push the closing function stack operator onto the stack
        add_scriptc(C_FUNC);
        p3 ++;
    } else {// simply push the variable or value onto the stack
        add_scriptl(word);
    }