TinyTERM includes a macro recorder for UNIX and Linux character-based terminal emulations. TinyTERM Plus version 4.8.0 added a macro recorder for TN3270 and TN520 emulations. Both can help automate common tasks by recording user input and comparing it with data received from the host.

Character-Based Macro Recorder

When recording macros in emulatons such as VT220 or IBM 3151, the Macro Bar appears as at right. It has six controls. From left to right, they are:

• Record - click to start recording
• Pause - click to pause recording
• Stop - click to stop recording and save macro
• Play - play the current macro
• Macro name - this drop-down shows all macros recorded
• Edit - edit the current macro in the default text editor

The macro name fills in automatically with KeyMac##.cs as shown. On saving the macro, ## is automatically replaced with a two-digit number, starting at 00. So if you record three macros without changing the name, they will be named KeyMac00.cs, KeyMac02.cs and KeyMac02.cs. The user can override the macro name by entering a new name into the field before recording. The ## sequence can be used as part of any macro name, except in the .cs file extension.

IBM Macro Recorder

The macro recorder for IBM mainframe emulations is a bit different. It lacks the Pause button entirely, and replaces the Edit buttons with Delete. Also, there is no default macro name entered. Instead, if no name is entered, it inserts "New Macro " and a number starting at 1; e.g., New Macro 1, New Macro 2, etc.

Recording a Macro

To record a macro, first navigate to the desired start screen. From the Tools menu select Macro Recorder. Enter a name or allow the default, then click the record button.

Continue to use TinyTERM normally. Everything you type is saved, along with responses from the host system. For TN3270 and TN5250, mouse clicks to position the cursor are also recorded.

However, nothing that is not directly related to the active session is recorded. Mouse clicks outside TinyTERM, menu usage, moving or resizing the window — none of this is part of the macro. Only direct interaction with the host gets recorded.

When finished, click the stop button. The macro is saved to the user's Documents\TinyTERM folder with an automatically generated file name and the .ttmacro extension.

Playing a Macro

To play back a macro, open the Macro Recorder. Then select the macro in the drop-down list and click the play button.

Character-based macros can also be run as TinyTERM scripts. To do that, go to the TinyTERM Edit menu and select Script Editor or Execute Script File to load and run the .cs file.

IBM macros cannot be run as scripts, but they can be run from a TinyTERM script. For that, use the te.MacroPlay() script command.

Editing a Macro

To edit a character-based macro, select it in the drop-down list, then click the edit button. Windows Notepad will open with the macro loaded as a TinyTERM script. You can add any script command, edit the sent or received text, etc. When done, go to the File men and select Save to save the changes.

TN3270 and TN5250 emulations are not character-based. They rely on screen identifier information instead of text received. As such, these macros cannot be edited in any meaningful way. However, they can be shared directly with TinyTERM Enterprise.