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What Are Macros?

A macro allows you to execute commonly-used IDL tasks with the press of a mouse button or through a single keystroke ("hot key") combination. In IDL you can create your very own macros using the following items:

For example, you may customize and extend the functionality of the IDL Development Environment (such as writing a procedural macro to change IDL's working directory, which we will see later in this section).

Predefined IDL Macros

IDL offers several existing macro options on its Macro Toolbar. These macros allow you quick access to commonly used IDL functionality such as printing a variable, importing various file types, and running the IDL Demos.

Figure 4-1: The IDLDE's Macro Toolbar

Figure 4-1: The IDLDE's Macro Toolbar

See Using IDL Macros for more information.

  IDL Online Help (March 01, 2006)