Stata variable definition with backquote

Question

I have obtained a copy of Stata ado file written by another researcher. The first few lines are as follows:

   program define threshold, eclass
   set more off
   gen m=`1'
   sort mvar
   gen lagm=L.m
   gen deltam=D.m
   ...

What does the line gen m=`1' do? I could not find convincing answer. So any clarification is appreciated!

Answer 1

See the official documentation, e.g. Section 18.4 in http://www.stata.com/manuals13/u18.pdf. Or just play around:

capture program drop mytest
program define mytest
display `"`0'"'
display `"`1'"'
display `"`2'"'
end

mytest some arbitrary syntax here