What is a macro?

Question

I looked it up and the definition is too technical. I would like someone to simplify it for me. Thanks

Answer 1

A symbol, name, or key that represents a list of commands, actions, or keystrokes. Many programs allow you to create macros so that you can enter a single character or word to perform a whole series of actions. Suppose, for example, that you are editing a file and want to indent every third line five spaces, You can also use macros to enter words or phrases that you use frequently. For example, you could define a macro to contain all the keystrokes necessary to begin a letter -- your name, address, and a code that inserts the current date. Then, whenever you write a letter, you just press the macro key to include the letter header.

In a way, macros are like simple programs or batch files. Some applications support sophisticated macros that even allow you to use variables and flow control structures such as loops.

In dBASE programs, a macro is a variable that points to another variable where the data is actually stored. In most other applications, this would be called a link

Answer 2

A macro in most cases is a list of commands, recorded for a program, perhaps with the ability (if the program's macro language lets you do it) to include "variables".

For example, an Office macro might be, first, the "command" to "Select" the first, third, and fifth page of a file, then change all the paragraphs to one font-size larger and do some other things, in sequence, to each thing on *only those selected pages*?

This might be handy due to the fact that you could apply the same series of commands to a different document, whenever you need the same series of commands, say, whether you edit a document today, tomorrow, or someday next year. It could save you a lot of clicking and typing.

Answer 3

best way to explain a macro in programming terminology is to consider it a function. when a macro is called it performs what ever code has been inseted in that macro then the macro is unloaded, very similar to a function or procedure.
a good example of what a macro can do,
say you have a business document,
every time you open that business document you enter a bunch of header information then proceed with the body,
you can create a macro to create a personalized header each time your document opens.

Answer 4

A mini-program which will execute a series of commands in series, saving the user having to repeat typing or data input. Macros are typically created to perform frequently used tasks.

Answer 5

Macros are pre designed for multiple action(command) to be taken on a document of MS Office. In normal way we call it a batch program processing as in Photo shop.

Answer 6

The only way I know to describe this is when you are doing a large mailing for example and you use the macro to tell the computer to draw from your list of names and addresses and add it to the form letter you are sending out. This way you do not have to do each individually.

Answer 7

It depends on what kind of macro you're talking about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro

What you're probably referring to are the macros in Microsoft Office. These are small scripts that you can have linked to keyboard shortcuts that you use to automate things for you.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,74944-page,1/article.html

These are also used in things like WoW to automate actions.
http://wow.azzor.com/161/macros.php

Answer 8

basicly its a program that does the same task (including user inputs) over and over again. its good for repetive tasks, but most online game disigeners hate them