Pathmaker Reference Manual

Appendix C Macro Language
Construct Variables
067869 Tandem Computers Incorporated C–1
This appendix gives the syntax for Pathmaker macro language variables known as
constructs. The following sections are included:
“Constructs Explained” describes the three types of constructs used in server and
requester macros and explains the importance of establishing a context for using
constructs.
“Server Constructs” lists all the variable, ITERATE, and EMIT server constructs.
“Requester Constructs”lists all the variable, ITERATE, and EMIT requester
constructs.
Refer to Section 3, “Macro Language,” for the syntax and description of the macro
language that incorporates the constructs.
Constructs Explained Constructs, which start with a pound sign (#), are variables predefined by Tandem for
use in macros that define requesters and servers. Each construct is used in either a
server macro or a requester macro. Thus, constructs are described as server constructs
and requester constructs.
Types of Constructs Constructs within the server group and the requester group are divided into three
types:
ITERATE constructs—Used only with the macro language ITERATE command.
Use an ITERATE construct to cycle through a set of instructions for each object in a
set of objects. The ITERATE construct refers to each object in the set, one at a time,
until there are no more objects to reference. For example, the command:
%ITERATE #Ref-Object-is-Nested thru 6 lines
will repeat the next six lines of code for each reference object in a requester. Each
iteration through the code establishes another reference object as the current
reference object.
EMIT constructs—Used only with the macro language EMIT command. Use an
EMIT construct to produce a block of text in your source file.
Variable constructs—Used with macro commands other than SET, EMIT, and
ITERATE. These constructs produce a string or numeric value by, for example,
expanding a variable clause.