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IBM eNetwork Communications Server for Windows NT
Host Publisher Feature, Version 6.01
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Host Publisher Hints and Tips

Macro Language Introduction

What is a macro

A macro consists of one or more macro commands, which do things like sending keystrokes to the host and waiting for host data to be returned. Typically, you create a macro by recording some interaction with a host session. You can edit the recorded macro.

What are macros used for

Macros are used repeatedly in Host Access to connect, navigate through the data loop and recognized screens, handle errors, and log off. However,macros are only used as one part of the design of a Host Access Integration Object; the rest of the Integration object is also important.

Each macro can do two things:

  1. Wait for a screen
  2. Send keystrokes
No conditional processing is supported, except for the complete failure of the macro if a timeout occurs. A macro cannot be used by itself to react to different conditions.

Why learn about macros

You should learn about the macro language to get the most out of the Host Access SIM. If you only use the macro recorder and never modify the recorded macros, you are limited to the simplest features of macros. The macro recorder can only use the simplest features because it cannot know what you intend as you view screens and press keys.

All recorded macros look at the cursor position on screens and send fixed keystrokes. By editing macros, you can make them more general or more specific in how they recognize screens, and you can change fixed keystrokes to varied strings drawn from Web input forms or Host Publisher session variables.

Editing macros

It is easiest to edit macros immediately after recording them. Otherwise, you must make sure the macro is attached somewhere in the integration object. Find the place where it is attached, and click the Edit button. (You cannot edit the .HMF file directly, because it is not a plain text file.)

Details

The following sections give more information about macros:
  • Macro syntax
  • Generalizing recorded macros
  • For more information

    The macro language for Host Publisher is supplied by IBM's eNetwork Host On-Demand Version 3.0. The macro commands are a subset of the methods in IBM's Host Access Class Library. You can find more information in the publication IBM eNetwork Personal Communications Version 4.2 for Windows 95 and Windows NT Host Access Class Library, SC31-8527-00.
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    IBM eNetwork Communications Server for Windows NT
    Host Publisher Feature, Version 6.01