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I'm trying to clear out some variables that I've previously used, so that I can use them again. I tried this in a different notebook and it worked, however, now, a command like :

Clear["a*", "b*", "c*", "m*", "A*"];

for some variables a1,a2,a3....gives:

Clear::wrsym: Symbol AbelianGroup is Protected.
Clear::wrsym: Symbol Abort is Protected. 
Clear::wrsym: Symbol AbortKernels is Protected.

The thing is , the calculation still works, but I can't get rid of this error.

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    $\begingroup$ Have a look at Google clear variables mathematica, and using uppercase for variables is a verry bad idea $\endgroup$
    – user9660
    Feb 1, 2016 at 14:28
  • $\begingroup$ See also Defining Variables the part about, so you can get rid of the error by choosing lowercase variable names. $\endgroup$
    – user9660
    Feb 1, 2016 at 14:31
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    $\begingroup$ When you Clear[A*] you're trying to clear the definition of symbols built into Mathematica as well as your own and it complains (e.g. Abort is a Mathematica function). As the others have written if you stick to naming your own symbols starting with only lower case (e.g. myFunction not MyFunction) you should be safe. $\endgroup$
    – Ymareth
    Feb 1, 2016 at 14:35

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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Add the Global context:

Clear["Global`a*","Global`b*","Global`A*"]

The built-in (hence protected) command are of System scope:

Context[AbelianGroup]
(*returns: System`*)
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  • $\begingroup$ Works, thank you! $\endgroup$
    – PhysNerd90
    Feb 1, 2016 at 14:56

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