Using commands in edit macros

You can use most primary commands in an edit macro if you precede it with ISREDIT. Table 1 shows the macro commands available to use. There are differences, though, between entering a command on the command line and processing the same command in a macro as one of a series:
  • When you enter a command on the command line, the result of the command is displayed in either an informational or an error message. If you process the same command in a macro, messages are not displayed, and the lines actually displayed may be different from a command entered on the command line.
  • When you issue a series of commands as a macro, the display does not change with each command. The lines displayed are the end result of the macro running, not the individual commands.
  • Some commands have additional operands permitted in a macro that cannot be used interactively.

Besides these differences, there are certain guidelines to remember when creating edit macros.