Chapter 4 Command Reference

Introduction

*DMC <string>, <arbitrary block> (Define Macro Command)

*DMC <string>, <arbitrary block>

This command assigns a sequence of zero or more commands/queries to a macro label. The sequence is executed when the label is received as a command or query.

The <string> parameter specifies the macro label. The macro label may not be a common command/query header. It may be the same as an instrument-specific command/query header; in this case, provided macros are enabled, the macro expansion is executed and the instrument-specific command/query may be executed by disabling macros.

The <arbitrary block> contains the sequence of commands/queries being labeled.

Parameters may be passed to the sequence during execution. Placeholders for parameters appear in the sequence as a dollar sign followed by a single digit in the range one to nine inclusive. The first parameter following the macro label is substituted for the parameter placeholder labeled $1, and so on up to nine parameters.

See the section titled “How to Program the Counter to Define Macros” in Chapter 3 of this guide.

Comments ∙ The maximum macro label length is 12 characters.

Redefining an existing macro causes an execution error.

The Counter allows up to four levels of recursion.

There is no query form. Use *GMC? (see page 4- 129) to query the current definition of a macro label.

Programming Guide

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HP 53131A, 132A manual DMC string, arbitrary block Define Macro Command