Central Texas LabVIEW User Group Meeting – May 2011
Date: 5/11/11
Location: National Instruments
Time: 11:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m.
Meeting Summary:
LabVIEW Web UI Builder Overview
Travis Ferguson, NI Field Engineer in Central Texas, gave an overview presentation of the LabVIEW Web UI Builder. I will not post the presentation I gave, but instead will direct you to the main UI Builder page (http://ni.com/uibuilder), which includes a variety of helpful resources. Some topics I want to highlight include:
Overview - http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/11602
Features (in-depth) - http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/12129
Developer Resources - http://www.ni.com/uibuilder/developer.htm
I encourage you to explore these resources, and provide any feedback about the product and your experience. Again, I want to emphasize that this technology is currently in the Early Access Program. While not ready for prime-time, it is still a good opportunity to learn more about the technology, and in some ways shape the product.
LabVIEW Design Patterns
In addition, Travis Ferguson presented briefly on LabVIEW design patterns – specifically on the State Machine and the Producer/Consumer design patterns. I’ve included the slides that I presented (which are a subset of slides that you can probably find other places). I’m also including the Coke Machine example (LV 2010 version).
It was suggested that we consider an exercises of modifying this example, to allow users to select which type of Coke (I’m from Texas), they want to purchase. If interested, please do so, and we can review during the next User Group Meeting.
I’m also interested to see if we want to try an exercise to build something from scratch. However, we need a good target application. I was thinking of something like implementing a cassette tape deck’s operation (or CD player). The goal would be just to implement the execution control (play, record, stop, fast-forward, rewind, etc.). I’m interested in your thoughts on whether this is a good idea for the group. If you have an idea for a “classic” state machine problem, feel free to submit it to the group. I’ll start a separate discussion thread on this momentarily.
Next Meeting Topics:
The next Austin User Group Meeting is targeted for August 17th, 2011, just after NI-Week. The currently proposed topics include:
- Technology Review from NI-Week (Travis Ferguson)
- Group Review of the State Machine exercises above
- Improving the provided LV Design Patterns (Fabiola De la Cueva)
- Overview of Additional Design Patterns (Looking for a presenter – contact Travis Ferguson)
We’re always looking for new ideas/topics for future user group meetings. Think of concepts or techniques that you find useful, that you wish someone would have told you about. This can be very informal. If you have ideas, and want feedback, post a discussion thread. If you are interested in presenting or leading a discussion, please contact Travis Ferguson.
Thanks again to all who could make this meeting, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at NI-Week and the next Austin User Group Meeting.
Travis Ferguson
