Question

What's the best way to create and organize a large number of macros?

Answer

You shouldn't need to use macros - we'd prefer that you use Published Parameters. The only thing a published parameter won't do is permit you to create a drop down list of choices - and even that will be implemented (hopefully) for FME 2007.


However, if you really wish to work with macros, there are a couple of methods to help organize them:


1, For calling a workspace from the command line you might create a batch (.bat) file that had the command to call fme with the MACROs set up. To change a macro edit the .bat file.


2, Create an include (.fmi) file, for example xxxx.fmi with all your MACRO definitions inside.
Edit the workspace header and add the line…

       include <includefilename>.fmi

...so to change a MACRO value you edit the contents of the include file.


3, If you were writing any sort of application that called FME then the application could even write your default settings to an include or bat file.