NOMADS Run-Time Utilities

NOMADS provides a simple scripting tool that records macros consisting of keystrokes entered while processing a panel in a NOMADS run-time environment and can be played back on demand. This allows you to record common key sequences and play them back when desired.

Note:
If a NOMADS query is invoked during the processing of a panel, the invocation and processing of the query is not included in the script, but the return value is recorded.

Creating a NOMADS Macro

When a NOMADS panel is invoked, a NOMADS macro script can be created by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+F11. You are prompted for the name of a Nomads Script (*.NMS) file in which to save the script. From this point, all your keystrokes are recorded until you end the recording process by selecting the End Recording button on the Nomads Script dialog that displays when recording is initiated.

You can press CTRL+SHIFT+F11 again without selecting the End Recording button to finish the current recording and start a new one (or redo a previous recording).

Playing Back a NOMADS Macro

To play back a previously recorded macro script while processing a panel in the NOMADS run-time environment, press CTRL+SHIFT+F12. A file dialog will be displayed for selecting the name of the Nomads Script (*.NMS) file containing the script to be replayed. Once selected, the script will be run.

A synchronization error will be reported if the macro script does not match the panel on which it is being run.

Suppressing the NOMADS Macro Interface

The NOMADS Macro interface, i.e. initiating script recording or playback via the CTRL+SHIFT+F11/F12 keystrokes while in the NOMADS run-time environment, can be suppressed by setting the %NOMADS'ScriptSuppress property to a non-zero value.

See NOMADS Variables.

Initiating Macro Recording/Playback Programmatically

NOMADS macros can also be initiated programmatically.

To create a script, the following CALLs can be employed:

CALL "*winproc;Make_Script" [,scriptFile$] ! turn on recording
! Process your panel here
CALL "*winproc;End_Script" ! end recording

To play back a script, use the following CALLs:

CALL "*winproc;Start_Script" [,scriptFile$] ! turn on playback
! Process your panel here
CALL "*winproc;End_Script" ! end playback

Note:
Including the scriptFile$ name is optional in both of the above cases. If a file name is not included, then a file dialog will be displayed to manually select a file name.