HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
Execute Macro
Purpose
Runs a macro and returns to the current input level.
Default Syntax
[n] m
where n represents the number of times you want the macro to execute.
The default value of n is 1.
Description
This command executes a preemptive or non-preemptive macro. In order to
execute a macro from within a macro, you must use either this command or
the Go To Macro command. A key assigned to a non-preemptive macro does
not preempt the same key assigned to an HP EDIT command. Consequently,
the same key can be assigned twice for different purposes.
Applications
You typically use this command when you want to execute a single macro or
a group of nested macros.
One method of executing a macro longer than a single line is to first
chain a set of "submacros". Refer to the Define Multiple Macros command
for information about defining chains of macros and refer to the Go To
Macro command for information about executing chains of macros.
You can execute several macros as interconnected subroutines by nesting
up to ten levels of macros and then using this command to execute them.
Refer to the example for information about defining nested macros.
Command Process
When you execute the command, HP EDIT prompts for the macro name, which
is the key assigned to the macro. If the Meta key precedes the assigned
key and you press a Meta key (ESC or $) in response to this prompt, HP
EDIT prompts a second time for the Meta macro name. If you specify a
valid macro name, HP EDIT executes the macro. If you specify an
undefined macro name, HP EDIT displays Macro does not exist on the
message line.
If you want to abort a running macro after you execute this command,
press the CTRL and y keys. If you want to cancel the effect of a macro
that has just finished executing resulting in text modifications, use
either Undo Last Command or the Undo Sequentially command.
Procedure
To execute a macro:
1. Press the m key. HP EDIT displays Specify macroname on the
message line. If the key assigned to the macro is prefixed by the
Meta key, proceed to step 2. If not, skip to step 3.
2. Press the ESC or $ key. HP EDIT displays Specify meta-macroname
on the message line.
3. Press the key assigned to the macro that you want to execute. HP
EDIT responds to a valid key by executing the corresponding macro.
Example
To construct, define, and execute nested macros that delete either 1, 3,
5, or 7 characters from text:
1. Insert a new line in text by executing the Insert Line (I)
command.
2. Type in the following set of macros:
mj=dmkdQ *** These macros demonstrate nesting.
mk=dmld
ml=dmmd
mm=d
3. Press the / and Return key to exit Text Entry mode and enter
Command mode.
4. Move the cursor to the first macro of the group and execute the
Define Multiple Macros (ESC z) command. HP EDIT removes the four
macros from the screen and stores them for subsequent execution.
HP EDIT also displays the following message:
4 macros defined
5. Press the m key. HP EDIT displays the following prompt on the
message line:
Specify macroname
6. Press either the m, l, k, or j key depending on whether you want
to delete 1, 3, 5, or 7 characters from the current line.
Related Commands
Begin Capture
Capture Macro
Define Macro
Define Multiple Macros
Delete All Macros
Delete Macro
Go To Macro
Insert All Macros
Insert Macro
Quit Macro
Show Macros
Use Current Key Assignment