system variables vs parameters

[sinha_nsit]

Are system variables of macros and machine parameters similar (why should these be treated as different)?
If yes, is it possible to set machine parameters through a macro?
Of course, if a machine does not have Custom Macro B, then this question does not arise.

[Al_The_Man]

Variables are just that, storage registers, they can be manipulated by program commands to achieve mathematical results, or system Variables can be read to inquire the machine state etc.
Parameters are settings that configure the machine characteristics such as servo tuning, encoder resolution and machine options as a few examples.
Al.

[psychomill]

If yes, is it possible to set machine parameters through a macro

Yes, it is possible to set/change some machine parameters with a macro.... but not all.


EDIT: I should add though, its more readily done by using G10

[sinha_nsit]

This example is from Oi-MB manual (P. 366):
G10 L50;
N3404 R00000100;
G11;

My question is that why is it not permitted (or is it permitted?) to simply use
#3404 = 4; in the main program or in a macro (decimal 4 is equivalent to binary 100), which will make our life much easier !! Afterall, some system variables are read/write type, which can be modified as well. Why does the control differentiate between parameters and system variables?

Of course, when the same parameter refers to different axes, as in the following case (taken from the same manual), it may not be possible:
G10 L50;
N1322 P3 R4500; (modify Z axis)
N1322 P4 R12000; (modify A axis)
G11;

Incidently, can we write N3404 R4 in the first example? Is it that some R words must be binary while some other must be decimal?