XML: Macros - Universal Timer

Applicable
LM P3D
FSXA
FSX
FS2004
FS2002

Universal Timer Macros

Making elapsed time based on gauge update cycle is simple to code and easy to understand.

Courtesy of Tom Aguilo (taguilo) in post: http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/adding-a-timer.431123/#post-681198

Macros

A group of macros, but with an universal score could be the following. Both macros can be copied and pasted on every gauge so to have elapsed timers available for the entire code.

FS9 syntax:

<Macro Name="GetElapsed">
  (P:Absolute time,@2) (L:@1,@2) - abs
</Macro>
<Macro Name="SetElapsed">
  (P:Absolute time,@2) (>L:@1,@2)
</Macro>

FSX syntax:

 <Macro Name="GetElapsed">
 <MacroValue>(P:Absolute time,@2) (L:@1,@2) - abs</MacroValue>
 </Macro>
 <Macro Name="SetElapsed">
 <MacroValue>(P:Absolute time,@2) (>L:@1,@2)</MacroValue>
 </Macro>

Implementation

The above macros are called within update sections in the following way:

@SetElapsed(name_of_var,unit)
@GetElapsed(name_of_var,unit)

Gauge Example (FSX)

This is an example gauge for triggering an engine failure after five minutes above a certain temperature treshhold. In order to capture the absolute start time for the event, a G:var "lock" has to be employed. In this example, the lock will "open" when the engine temperature falls below the temperature treshhold.

<SimBase.Document Type="AceXML" version="1,0">
<SimGauge.Gauge id="Gauge" ArtDirectory=".">

<Macro Name="GetElapsed">
<MacroValue>(P:Absolute time,@2) (L:@1,@2) - abs</MacroValue>
</Macro>

<Macro Name="SetElapsed">
<MacroValue>(P:Absolute time,@2) (>L:@1,@2)</MacroValue>
</Macro>

<Update>
<Script>
   (A:TURB ENG ITT:1, celsius) 907 >
   (G:Var1) 1 !=
   and
   if{  @SetElapsed(MyTimer,minutes) 1 (>G:Var1) }

   @GetElapsed(MyTimer,minutes) 5 >
   if{ (>K:TOGGLE_ENGINE1_FAILURE) }

   (A:TURB ENG ITT:1, celsius) 907 <
   (G:Var1) 0 !=
   and
   if{ 0 (>G:Var1) }
</Script>
</Update>

</SimGauge.Gauge>
</SimBase.Document>