Home / Topics

macro

3 Results

Related Tags

Dictionary

macro

(1) A shortcut method for invoking a sequence of user interface functions. Macros let users turn widely used sequences of menu selections and keystrokes into one command or key combination. For...

Full Definition »
Dictionary

Definition: macro

(1) A shortcut method for invoking a sequence of user interface functions. Macros let users turn widely used sequences of menu selections and keystrokes into one command or key combination. For example, pressing the F2 key might cause several menu options to be selected and several dialog box OK buttons to be clicked in a prescribed sequence. Macros can be created automatically by recording the keyboard and mouse actions (see macro recorder).

Macros are also used on home theater remote controls to switch sources. For example, when switching from cable TV to a DVD player, the macro causes the A/V receiver to switch audio source and the TV to switch video source (see IR remote control and RF remote control).

(2) A special-purpose command language within an application. See macro language.

(3) In assembly language, a prewritten subroutine that is called for throughout the program. At assembly time, the macro calls are substituted with the actual subroutine or instructions that branch to it. The high-level language equivalent is a function.

(4) Methods for determining wiring patterns on a chip (see hard macro and soft macro).



THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.
© 1981-2010 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved.

Sponsored White Papers, Webcasts & Resources

Additional Results

  • Macro Cell Lens Band (photos)

    Combine a rubber band with a macro lens and you get one simple and inexpensive way to take close-up photos with your smartphone. Check photos of the Macro Cell Lens Band.

    Image galleries | December 9, 2011 11:00am PST

  • NYT publishes macro breakdown of Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo services

    While it might seem like Google, Apple and Microsoft own the world with all of their services and tech ventures (I don't think people can say the same about Yahoo! anymore), none of these...

    Blog posts | January 25, 2010 3:30am PST

  • Leica Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8 & Lumix G 20mm f1.7--photos

    The Micro Four Thirds universe gained two quality, fast-aperture, prime focal-length lenses Tuesday that go along with the new Lumix GF1 camera and its retro rangefinder styling cues: the Lumix G...

    Image galleries | September 1, 2009 9:10pm PDT

  • Sony 30mm f2.8 DT Macro and Sony 28-75mm f2.8 SAM

    Sony announced two new lenses, the 30mm f2.8 DT Macro lens (SAL30M28) and the 28-75mm f2.8 SAM lens (SAL2875).

    Image galleries | August 27, 2009 7:00am PDT

  • Understanding macro mode on a point-and-shoot camera

    Don't think that beautiful, close-up shots can only be done with a digital SLR. You can still get some excellent close-up shots with a standard point-and-shoot model by using macro mode. It can...

    Blog posts | July 20, 2009 9:27am PDT

  • Weekend Gadget Guidance: Control PowerPoint presentations with your voice

    Not too many people have taken advantage of the speech recognition capabilities that Windows has, but this one might just change your work life forever. Blogger and Microsoft employee Rob...

    Blog posts | June 6, 2008 7:35am PDT

  • ritePen 3.0 released with macro support and intelligent navigation functionality

    I have a Fujitsu U810 UMPC and like to keep it around to use as a Tablet PC, traveling media player (Amazon Unbox looks fantastic), and my home Windows PC (in the docking cradle connected to a 17...

    Blog posts | June 4, 2008 10:30am PDT

  • Zoho's pivot and macro capabilities: tipping point?

    Today's addition of VB Macro and pivot table support to Zoho Sheets is possibly the most important step forward for the Zoho suite of business applications. These two capabilities are top of...

    Blog posts | April 28, 2008 11:38am PDT

  • Y!Open: rewiring Yahoo into a macro social network

    At the Web 2.0 Expo yesterday in San Francisco, Yahoo unveiled a new and bold strategy to join up its Internet properties into one giant macro social network. CTO Ari Balogh told attendees: "We...

    Blog posts | April 25, 2008 10:02am PDT

  • The macro economics side of Web 2.0 marketing efficiencies

    What's also interesting is that the investment, and -- more importantly -- the return on the investment you and your clients make in organic search results will remain strong in nearly any macro...

    Blog posts | July 22, 2007 9:10am PDT

  • Installing Web plug-ins as a Vista non-administrative user

    On a fresh installation of Windows Vista, we took screen shots when it came time to install Adobe's Flash plug-in into Internet Explorer for the first time. The sequence is especially interesting...

    Image galleries | March 7, 2007 6:44am PST

  • Office users face new macro risk

    A specially crafted macro can avoid detection in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint apps for Windows and Mac, and run malicious code on a victim's machine.

    News items | October 10, 2001 12:00am PDT

  • New turn in old war on macro viruses

    Will behavioral scanning keep computers safe against macro viruses? Symantec says it can.

    News items | September 29, 2000 12:00am PDT

  • Myna macro virus -- get help!

    The latest Word macro virus, Myna, is relatively lightweight in the world of viruses. Myna infects Word documents, similar to Melissa, but carries no malicious payload. However, the only truly...

    News items | February 15, 2000 12:00am PST

  • Macro virus: more insidious than Michelangelo?

    On Friday, up to 4,000 computers could be wiped out by a single virus, warn some researchers. Others say the day will pass without notice. Just another year for Michelangelo. Have...

    News items | March 6, 1998 12:00am PST

ie8 fix

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

Facebook Activity

ie8 fix