what is a macro?

[ljoe1969]

could someone tell me what a macro is and how it might be used in autocad?

[ger21]

It's a VBA (visual basic) program that runs inside autocad. It can be used to automate drawing tasks, import data from other programs, export data.....many, many different things. I wrote one to export G-code from the drawing. I wrote one at work that automatically draws section details of cabinets, based on the sizes the user unputs.

[widgitmaster]

According to GOOGLE's define:macro

Definitions of macro on the Web:

An object that contains a symbol, name, or key that represents a list of commands, actions, or keystrokes
http://www.sedona-training.com/tips/...erminology.htm

A macro is a shortcut key combination. For example, a macro allows one to hit one letter and have it execute a few different commands.
www.cis.ksu.edu/~bhoward/vi/vi90.html

A macro is an abbreviation for a set of commands, so instead of typing a complicated sequence of commands you can simply type the macro's name. You can either think of macros as a new commands in their own right or as subroutines.
www.phys.unm.edu/~rjr/sm/sm_21.html

A mini-program which will execute a series of commands in series, saving the user having to repeat typing or data input. Macros are typically created to perform frequently used tasks.
http://www.angelfire.com/bc/nursingi...glossary4.html

A series of special instructions for a program or a metalanguage that allows a name to be substituted for a repeated sequence of operations or text within a document or program.
www.rockprint.com/dictionary.shtml

A text file containing a sequence of commands that can be executed as one command. Macros can be built to perform frequently used, as well as complex, operations. The ARC Macro Language (AML) is used to create macros for ARC/INFO.
http://www.geog.leeds.ac.uk/staff/m....y/esriglos.htm

A series of commands and procedures that are carried out in response to a single command or keystroke, or identified by a single name.
www.c-3.com/dict.cfm

A symbol, name, or key that represents a list of commands, actions, or keystrokes. Many programs allow you to create macros so that you can enter a single character or word to perform a whole series of actions.
www.msun.edu/infotech/its/how/glossary/m.htm

The ability of a lens to focus just inches away from an object or subject so as to produce big close-ups, sometimes even larger-than-life size.
www.dpcorner.com/all_about/terms.shtml

A single, symbolic programming language statement that, when translated, expands to a predefined series of statements.
www.sivideo.com/9pcterms.htm

A set of instructions that are represented by a word. When this word is inserted in the source code, the compiler replaces the word with the set of instructions that the word represents. Macros are used for common tasks. The macro serves to keep the source code more readable.
www.parallax.com/sx/glossary.asp

A sequence of keyboard strokes and mouse actions that can be recorded so that their playback can be activated by a single keystroke, keystroke combination, or mouse click. Unlike Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95 does not come with a Macro Recorder.
http://www.lcc.edu/tutorial/study_ti...uter_terms.htm

A macro is an automated series of program commands, such as a list of formatting commands for a word processing program. Many common applications, including spreadsheet and word processing programs, use macros.
www.tecrime.com/0gloss.htm

A binding of a name to a string.
www.ross.net/funnelweb/reference/glossary.html

When referring to remote controls or home automation, a "macro" is a sequence of commands that are sent to your system ("receiver power on", "select DVD input", "select Dolby Digital", "DVD power on", "DVD play", "dim the room lights", etc.) as the result of touching one button.
www.bjorns.com/glossary.html

A series of laser printer escape code sequences, control codes and data whose execution can be initiated with a single printer command. Magnetic Ink Usually printer's ink to which iron oxide particles have been added. In regard to MICR laser printing, it refers to toner with magnetic characteristics. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition A system used to enable electronic and visual reading of information on a check. ...
www.micro-micr.com/glossary.htm

Lenses with this feature can focus very close (less than 8") for taking pictures of small objects at a 1:1 ratio.
http://www.all-things-photography.co...ictionary.html

A series of commands, keyboard or mouse actions that are recorded and performed automatically when a certain key is pressed or a certain command is entered.
www.pccomputernotes.com/pcterms/glossarym.htm

a simple computer program that scripts a series of actions. Macros can usually be created without writing any programming code. The simplest way to create a macro is to record a series of keystrokes that can then be reused later.
accuracybook.com/glossary.htm

A group of commands, or signals, chosen from the repertoire of a remote control, which can be executed/sent in sequence with the touch of one button.
members.aol.com/ajaynejr/vidglos5.htm

Macro photography is the term used to describe photography taken with great maginification. It doesn't necessarily mean that the subject is at very close range to the camera, just that the magnification ratio is 1:1 or higher. Click on macro for more information
http://www.digital-photography.adopt.../glossary.html

A single computer command that is used to trigger a programmed sequence of often-repeated commands, thus saving the user the time and effort of inputting them over and over. The macro, which is usually created by the user, is a file containing the list of commands.
www.techwriter.co.nz/nerd-im.html

An extension to the core language that can be defined by the user, by the implementation, or as part of the Dylan language specification. Much of the grammatical structure of Dylan is built with macros.
gauss.gwydiondylan.org/books/drm/drm_126.html

a user-specifiable programming language construct that is expanded into source language code at compilation or interpretation time. In Lisp, a macro is a function that produces Lisp code as its result.
www.cs.utexas.edu/users/novak/cs307vocab.html

A set of instructions written in a high-level programming language that manipulate the commands in a GIS to perform specific predefined tasks or processes. Macros typically provide enhanced user access both to limited portions of an extensive GIS database as well as to certain GIS analysis tools or procedures. Sometimes called "shells."
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distrib.../DD6097hr.html

very large in scale or scope or capability
a single computer instruction that results in a series of instructions in machine language
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

A macro in computer science is an abstraction, whereby a certain textual pattern is replaced according to a defined set of rules. The interpreter or compiler automatically replaces the pattern when it is encountered. In compiled languages, macro-expansion always happens at compile-time. The tool which performs the expansion is sometimes called a macro-expander. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro

The handsome Lepiota rhacodes (Shaggy Parasol) is similar in appearance to Lepiota procera, the (Parasol Mushroom). The latter grows considerably larger however and is more likely to be found in the open than Lepiota rhacodes which seems to prefer more shade.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(Macro-)Lepiota_rhacodes

[ger21]

I deleted the ones from the previuos reply that don't pertain to the original question. All the others are basically the same thing, which is what I said in my reply.

According to GOOGLE's define:macro

Definitions of macro on the Web:

A macro is a shortcut key combination. For example, a macro allows one to hit one letter and have it execute a few different commands.
www.cis.ksu.edu/~bhoward/vi/vi90.html

A macro is an abbreviation for a set of commands, so instead of typing a complicated sequence of commands you can simply type the macro's name. You can either think of macros as a new commands in their own right or as subroutines.
www.phys.unm.edu/~rjr/sm/sm_21.html

A mini-program which will execute a series of commands in series, saving the user having to repeat typing or data input. Macros are typically created to perform frequently used tasks.
http://www.angelfire.com/bc/nursingi...glossary4.html

A series of commands and procedures that are carried out in response to a single command or keystroke, or identified by a single name.
www.c-3.com/dict.cfm

A symbol, name, or key that represents a list of commands, actions, or keystrokes. Many programs allow you to create macros so that you can enter a single character or word to perform a whole series of actions.
www.msun.edu/infotech/its/how/glossary/m.htm

A macro is an automated series of program commands, such as a list of formatting commands for a word processing program. Many common applications, including spreadsheet and word processing programs, use macros.
www.tecrime.com/0gloss.htm

A series of commands, keyboard or mouse actions that are recorded and performed automatically when a certain key is pressed or a certain command is entered.
www.pccomputernotes.com/pcterms/glossarym.htm

a simple computer program that scripts a series of actions. Macros can usually be created without writing any programming code. The simplest way to create a macro is to record a series of keystrokes that can then be reused later.
accuracybook.com/glossary.htm

A single computer command that is used to trigger a programmed sequence of often-repeated commands, thus saving the user the time and effort of inputting them over and over. The macro, which is usually created by the user, is a file containing the list of commands.
www.techwriter.co.nz/nerd-im.html