Actor Framework guidelines for CLA

[Fedor]

I’ve been actively using Actor Framework in my day-to-day projects.  While  preparing for CLA I can see that AF-based architecture fits typical CLA exam scenarios rather well

I watched Nathanael Letchford  webinar the other day where he mentions that vastly more people fail CLA with AF than without AF, that one should be be aware how to use actor framework for CLA correctly, and that CLA much more strict in how AF architecture has to look like and how it is implemented compared to QDSM or event structures.

It would be quite interesting to hear about  AF-specific do’s and don’ts in regards to CLA.

For example, documentation - it would make sense to keep default VI icons the Actor class members come with when extending e.g. Stop Core, Handle Error, etc (except for class header, obviously). They are already quite descriptive and would be familiar to an AF developer down the line. Same question for auto-scripted message classes/methods. 

More generally, will the points be taken off for just overriding/extending default AF virtual methods to satisfy, say, shut down or error handling  CLA requirements, or one has to come up with “original work” for the exam?   

[Hooovahh]

I can't speak to the specifics of the framework and the do's and don'ts.  But the impression I got from those talking about using AF on the CLA and not doing well, was because the person taking the exam thought it was the easier way to pass by using AF.  Rather than come up with a framework of their own in the short amount of time.  

So they would study the AF and then use it for the first time on the practice exam, and then the second time was on the real exam, and they would use it the incorrect way.  Which is why some of the advice I've heard was to familiarize yourself with several frameworks, but choose the one that works best, and that you are most comfortable using.  The mistake I think some make with the CLA is in thinking using the AF will give them a better chance at passing, which is probably only true if that is your day-to-day framework.

When I took the CLA I didn't use classes, and I didn't use AF.  I spent 1 hour setting up a template module in a library, and then made copies for each module.  I knew about AF, and I knew it could work, but I figured my inexperience with it would cause problems.

[crossrulz · Accepted solution]

The problem with the CLA is that it is a very subjective grading.  The graders have to be able to understand your architecture.  In the one project I have used AF in, I found it very hard to figure out what was happening.  I did not do the architecture design and there were a lot of places where they went against principals of AF.  So as long as you can make it mostly obvious to anybody what is happening, use whatever system you are mostly comfortable with.

A piece of advice I have been giving is to make a simple text document with your project to explain your architecture.  This helps the graders understand your architecture and can only help your grade.  Does not need to be anything really in depth since that will take up time.

[Fedor]

Hooovahh, crossruiz,

Thanks for the replies!

I would agree that AF require some practice and knowledge of the details before trying to use it for CLA exam. I do find it to be a great time saver though once you over that bump - no need to reinvent the bicycle by creating you own messaging engine when there’s a well polished and tuned one given to you. With message scripting on top. 

I would also agree that grasping the workings of a particular AF architecture is not a trivial task. I think that  having a companion description is a great suggestion.  

I took a look at the car wash AF example solution in a mean time. I admit that I was rather disturbed by it. Was it put out to throw potential CLA candidates off?

[crossrulz]

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@Fedor wrote:

I took a look at the car wash AF example solution in a mean time. I admit that I was rather disturbed by it. Was it put out to throw potential CLA candidates off?

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The example solutions that NI posts (cannot speak for community examples) were passing exams.  Yes, almost all of them have some major problems.  But they passed (70% is passing).  So that example was an actual passing CLA exam using the AF (assuming you found it with the prep material).  I cannot make any more comments than that since I have not looked at it.

[Fedor]

Thanks for clarification! Yes, I found the example solution at CLA prep page.