Advanced format in attribute values
As you may remember, even if a macro is in the advanced format,
not all input fields in the Macro Editor expect a string to be placed
in single quotes ('') (see Representation of strings and special characters, treatment of operator characters).
Specifically, the advanced format affects input fields only on the
following tabs of the Macro Editor:
- Description tab of the Screens tab
- Actions tab of the Screens tab
- Variables tab
Similarly, in the macro language, when you provide a string value
for an attribute that corresponds to one of these input fields that
is affected by the advanced format, you must enter the string in the
advanced format. For example, in the <message> element the strings
for both attributes must be written enclosed in single quotes, if
the macro is in the advanced format:
<message title="'Instructions'" value="'Check the java console'" />
However, if an attribute does not correspond to one of the input
fields affected by the advanced format, then you should not write
the value enclosed in single quotes, even if the macro is in the advanced
formt. For example, the name attribute of the <screen>
element should never be enclosed in single quotes:
<screen name="Screen1" entryscreen="true" exitscreen="true" transient="false" >
...
</screen>
In the descriptions in this chapter of macro language elements, this book indicates such attributes (attributes that are unaffected by the advanced format) by not specifying a data type. For example, the description of the name attribute of the <screen> element is "Required" rather than as "Required string".