Drag Selection for Array Controls and Indicators

[smmarlow]

Using the "Start Selection" and "End Selection" shortcut menu selectors has always been tedious for selecting subsets of arrays at runtime. The Table Control has built-in click-and-drag selection of table cells.  It would be nice if arrays could have the same feature.  I've kludged this feature using the Mouse Down, Mouse Move, and Mouse Up events coupled with the Selection Start/End properties, but it has always been quirky, and I hate using the coords property and pixel calculations to know where I am at when interacting with an array.  I think an Array selection feature should also have an associated event that returns the selection whenever it changes.  For better control of Array-related events, static event registration of elements should also be implemented.  In fact, the whole events structure needs updating with lots of new events, but that is another post.

 

[AristosQueue (NI)]

I have to disagree. In my opinion, that's a completely inappropriate action for the array control. Arrays can contain various controls, many of which do not have a text entry field. Even the ones that do have text fields often do not look like a spreadsheet. To me, this is a feature that belongs on some other -- possibly completely new not existing currently -- control, not the array control.

[smmarlow]

Since when does an array element need to have a text field to be selected?  There have been many occasions where I have needed to select portions of an array.  And if it is 'completely inappropriate' to drag select elements of an array, why have array selection at all?  Let's face it, navigating to the start and end using the index and selecting 'start selection' and 'end selection' is little more than a kludge, and a bit of a joke on a modern computer.