if gate variables

[pcs3rd]

I would like to make a if gate but can't, I have made a if gate for if status == true,but I get a error no value set for status. I see this, is there a way to use the example -minimal.py script and have a value for true, I am very new tp monty the python and would like to use this as a switch for novnc and a couple of other programs

[pcs3rd]

and trying if state:

else:

doesn't work. it is complaining about state not being defined is there any way to right true/false to a new value called state?