| Using IDL: Creating Development Environment Macros |

## What Are Macros?

A macro allows you to execute commonly-used IDL tasks with the press of a mouse button or through a single keystroke ("hot key") combination. In IDL you can create your very own macros using the following items:

- routines

- procedures

- statements

- command stream substitutions

For example, you may customize and extend the functionality of the IDL Development Environment (such as writing a procedural macro to change IDL's working directory, which we will see later in this section).

### Predefined IDL Macros

IDL offers several existing macro options on its Macro Toolbar. These macros allow you quick access to commonly used IDL functionality such as printing a variable, importing various file types, and running the IDL Demos.

Figure 4-1: The IDLDE's Macro Toolbar

Figure 4-1: The IDLDE's Macro Toolbar

See Using IDL Macros for more information.

IDL Online Help (March 01, 2006)