Functions and Macros

You can define functions and macros for use in QA Build formulas. These consist of a name and associated text. The text is evaluated as a macro wherever the name is specified in a formula. In the following example, a mathematical function POWER has been defined which takes one parameter:

Function/Macro name POWER

Function/Macro text

exp(log(%1)*(%2)) {returns first parameter raised to power of second parameter}

A function like the one above can be called in any QA Build formula:

POWER($, 2)

This will evaluate to the value of the current field raised to the power of 2, that is, squared.

The rules for defining functions are:

Use the same syntax as in a formula
If your function accepts parameters, refer to these as %n in the function definition, where n is 1 for the first parameter passed to the function, 2 for the second parameter and so on up to 10 parameters. To include the % symbol in a macro, use %%
Use braces { } for comments. Comments included within braces are not evaluated
All text in macros is converted to upper case, except for text between quotes
Macros may call other macros, but there is a "nesting" limit of 20
Brackets should be used to ensure results are not affected by operator precedence

To define a QA Build function or macro:

Enter the name of the function
Select Macro for the function type
Enter the function, taking care to use the correct syntax. Use %n to refer to the parameters passed to the function

The formulas you define in this way are evaluated as your program is compiled. If there are any syntax errors, these will be shown as occurring in the formula in which the function is used.

To use a function:

In the position in the formula where you wish to use the function, enter the name of the function, followed by brackets, and pass the parameters you wish to pass to the function

Example Macros: Text: Comments:

Example Macros:	Text:	Comments:
TIME_TO_NUMBER	`HOUR(%1)3600 + MINS(%1)60 + SECS(%1)`	This function returns the number of seconds since midnight for any given time
NUMBER_TO_TIME	`(((00:00 SETHOUR((%1)/3600)) SETMINUTE(((%1)MOD3600)/60)) SETSECOND((%1) MOD 60))`	This function converts a number to a time, provided that the number means the number of seconds since midnight
TIME_PLUS_NUMBER	`NUMBER_TO_TIME(TIME_TO_NUMBER(%1)+%2)`	This function uses the two functions defined above to add a number representing the number of seconds since midnight to a time

TIME_TO_NUMBER

HOUR(%1)*3600 + MINS(%1)*60 + SECS(%1)

This function returns the number of seconds since midnight for any given time

NUMBER_TO_TIME

(((00:00 SETHOUR((%1)/3600)) SETMINUTE(((%1)MOD3600)/60))
SETSECOND((%1) MOD 60))

This function converts a number to a time, provided that the number means the number of seconds since midnight

TIME_PLUS_NUMBER

NUMBER_TO_TIME(TIME_TO_NUMBER(%1)+%2)

This function uses the two functions defined above to add a number representing the number of seconds since midnight to a time

For the benefits of using macros see Macro Formulas .