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The following is from the Daqarta Help system.
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Macro Overview

A Daqarta macro consists of one or more commands that directly operate controls to allow task automation. Macros are listed in the Macro Dialog ( CTRL+F8) with names and short descriptions that you provide, and can be run from there by double-clicking.

The Macro Dialog is independent of the normal Daqarta dialog system and can be kept open while you work. Complex test suites can be operated entirely from the Macro Dialog, without the need to delve into dialogs to find controls. The macro names and descriptions, as well as macros that provide helpful prompt messages, can guide guide even novice operators through a series of tests.

Alternatively, macros can be run as " hot keys" that are invoked via the F8 function key followed by an ID key that you assign. The Macro Dialog pops up when you hit F8 and vanishes when you hit the ID key.

Macros execute very quickly. They typically operate on controls directly, without requiring the normal control dialog to be opened, so they can perform a complicated series of operations virtually instantly.

All the macros in the Macro Dialog can be saved and loaded to a MAC file. Daqarta0.MAC is loaded automatically when Daqarta starts.

NOTE: The Macro Save File button is disabled after the trial period, unless a Professional license key is present. However, you may continue to load and use macro files you have previously created, and you may create and use macros within a session without saving to a file.

A macro with a special ' !' ID can be run automatically every time Daqarta starts up, which can set test parameters and prompt the operator for needed information.

A macro is created via the New button in the Macro Dialog, which opens the Macro Editor where you can enter the ID, Name, optional Description, and the actual Definition which contains the commands that make up the macro. The definition can also include comments to explain the purpose of individual command steps, or the overall macro operation.

Almost all Daqarta controls have associated macro commands. When you right-click on a control, its specific macro command is shown at the top of the Help topic that pops up. More detailed information about how to use the command is provided near the end of the topic, in the Macro Notes section.

All macro commands consist of the command name followed by an = sign and (usually) a value. Many commands have optional prefixes that provide additional information to the macro processor. For example, L.0.ToneFreq=1000 sets the Generator Tone Frequency for Left Stream 0 to 1000 Hz.

A macro may contain many commands, including invocations of other macros you have previously defined. A macro named MyMacro is called from another macro definition as @MyMacro. A macro can call a macro that calls a macro... up to 16 levels deep.

Macros can be repeated in loops. @MyMacro=100 runs MyMacro 100 times.

In addition to commands that operate Daqarta controls, there are also special macro-only commands to display messages in specified colors and locations as operator prompts, or to query the operator for a response. There are special macros to wait for specified events or time durations, or store special macro values for later use.

Macros can also contain logical IF statements to perform conditional operations based upon the values of most variables.

A macro can tell a Label or Field to maintain a copy of a specified Daqarta variable. This allows you to insure that relevant test information like stimulus frequency and loudness are saved with file data.

Macros can be used to set controls or variables, including timer intervals, with random values that are uniformly distributed over a range you define.

You can create a macro that prompts an operator to enter a test name or number into a Field and waits for entry before proceeding. That entry can then be used as a file name by a macro that saves the test data.


Applications:

Frequency response

Distortion measurement

Speech and music

Microphone calibration

Loudspeaker test

Musical instrument tuning

Animal sound

Evoked potentials

Rotating machinery

Vehicle pass-by noise

Product test

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