access variables in canned command sequences

[vb]

Hello all,

I need to be able pass a convenience variable defined in gdb command
file to a shell script from inside a canned sequence, something like
this:

set $offs=0x1ff80000
define xyz
        shell echo offset is  $offs
end

what happens when I run it - the parameter does not get passed to the
shell at all:

(gdb) xyz
offset is
(gdb)


What gives?!

Any help would be highly appreciated,
cheers,
Vadim