How to add variables to $conf array? To modify some default settings for the Feeds module, I need to set a variable in the $conf array. What is the right way to achieve this?

I've tried adding it in the settings.php file (currently on local), but it doesn't appear in the variable table (even after restarting the server). "Clear all caches" didn't change anything, either. What am I missing?

What I am actually trying to do is to set $conf['feeds_process_limit'] = 15; exactly in the same way as described on http://drupal.org/node/1363094 and http://drupal.org/node/1393450; after adding it to the settings.php file, the result is the same: The amount of imported items isn't being limited.

How can I ensure the variable was set as in the settings file, and not to the default value?
Your variables will not show up in the variables table; variables are loaded from the database first and are then overwritten by settings.php. You might need to add a global $conf to access the variables in your settings.php.