macro
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
macro \macro\ n. [shortened form of macroinstruction]
1. a single computer instruction which symbolizes, and is
converted at the time of program execution or by a
compiler into, a series of instructions in the same
computer language.
[WordNet 1.5]
2. A keystroke (or combination of keystrokes) which
symbolizes and is replaced by a series of keystrokes; -- a
convenient feature of some advanced programs, such as word
processors or database programs, which allows a user to
rapidly execute any series of operations which may be
performed multiple times. Such macros may typically be
defined by the program user, without rewriting or
recompiling the program.
[PJC]
from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
macro
/mak'roh/, n.
[techspeak] A name (possibly followed by a formal {arg} list) that is
equated to a text or symbolic expression to which it is to be expanded
(possibly with the substitution of actual arguments) by a macro
expander. This definition can be found in any technical dictionary;
what those won't tell you is how the hackish connotations of the term
have changed over time.
The term macro originated in early assemblers, which encouraged the
use of macros as a structuring and information-hiding device. During
the early 1970s, macro assemblers became ubiquitous, and sometimes
quite as powerful and expensive as {HLL}s, only to fall from favor as
improving compiler technology marginalized assembler programming (see
{languages of choice}). Nowadays the term is most often used in
connection with the C preprocessor, LISP, or one of several
special-purpose languages built around a macro-expansion facility
(such as TeX or Unix's [nt]roff suite).
Indeed, the meaning has drifted enough that the collective macros is
now sometimes used for code in any special-purpose application control
language (whether or not the language is actually translated by text
expansion), and for macro-like entities such as the keyboard macros
supported in some text editors (and PC TSR or Macintosh INIT/CDEV
keyboard enhancers).
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
macro
A name (possibly followed by a {formal argument} list) that is
equated to a text or symbolic expression to which it is to be
expanded (possibly with the substitution of {actual
arguments}) by a macro expander.
The term "macro" originated in early {assemblers}, which
encouraged the use of macros as a structuring and
information-hiding device. During the early 1970s, macro
assemblers became ubiquitous, and sometimes quite as powerful
and expensive as {HLLs}, only to fall from favour as improving
{compiler} technology marginalised {assembly language}
programming (see {languages of choice}). Nowadays the term is
most often used in connection with the {C preprocessor},
{Lisp}, or one of several special-purpose languages built
around a macro-expansion facility (such as {TeX} or {Unix}'s
{troff} suite).
Indeed, the meaning has drifted enough that the collective
"macros" is now sometimes used for code in any special-purpose
application control language (whether or not the language is
actually translated by text expansion), and for macro-like
entities such as the "keyboard macros" supported in some text
editors (and {PC} {TSRs} or {Macintosh} INIT/CDEV keyboard
enhancers).
(1994-12-06)
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