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Macro vs Microcomputer - What's the difference?

macro | microcomputer |

As nouns the difference between macro and microcomputer

is that macro is (programming|computing) a comparatively human-friendly abbreviation of complicated input to a computer program or macro can be (photography) macro lens while microcomputer is (computer hardware) a computer designed around a microprocessor, smaller than a minicomputer or a mainframe.

As an adjective macro

is very large in scope or scale.

macro

English

Etymology 1

1933, from .

Adjective

(-)
  • Very large in scope or scale.

    • Etymology 2

    1959, shortened form of macroinstruction.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (programming, computing) A comparatively human-friendly abbreviation of complicated input to a computer program.
    • The pre-processor expands any embedded macro s into source code before it is compiled.
    Usage notes
    * Often used attributively; a macro language'' is the syntax for defining new macros; while ''macro expansion'' refers to the task of replacing the human-friendly version with a machine-readable version; a ''macro virus'' is a computer virus written in a ''macro language''. Individual macros are sometimes referred to as ''macro function s, particularly when they accept parameters. * The distinction between a macro language'' and a ''programming language'' is imprecise. Often a ''macro language'' is designed to allow one to customize one particular program, whereas a ''programming language is designed for writing entirely new programs. * Although a shortcut'' is particularly easy to use, widely supported, and designed for normal users, ''macro system s are normally designed for power users.
    See also
    *

    See also

    * macro expansion * template

    Etymology 3

    1971, elliptical form of macro lens, from  + lens. Compare macrophotography.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (photography) macro lens

    • Anagrams

    * * ----

    microcomputer

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (computer hardware) A computer designed around a microprocessor, smaller than a minicomputer or a mainframe.
  • * 1956 , Isaac Asimov, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction , v 11, July 7, New York: Fantasy House, p 9:
    • In recent years, it had become the hallmark of the scientist, much as the stethoscope was that of the physician and the microcomputer that of the statistician.
  • * 1985 , Micro Communications
    • The operation has installed nine Cygnet CoSystems, computerphones that send memos, letters, and even whole files from one microcomputer to another.

    Synonyms

    * PC * personal computer