Hello there, my Control Systems Engineering professor will make us a LabView test in a couple of weeks, although he won't actually teach us the software, but rather we need to get our hands dirty. Anyways, I'm trying to resolve this excercise:
Problem Definition.
On a storage area of a container terminal containers are stored temporarily waiting for further transportation. The location of a specific container along with its code is stored in a database. Whenever the operator types in the code of a container, the according location is shown on the screen.
Demands.
- Take as storing area a rectangle of 3 rows of 4 positions horizontal and 2 positions vertical (24 containers).
- Each containers is identified by a unique alphanumerical code of 11 digits. Digit # 11 is the check digit, being the last digit of the sum of the previous 10 digits based upon the ASCII table.
- When filling the database, the user myst apply the code of the container and its location.
- When searching for a container, the operator applies only the code of the container. On the front panel the according location must be displayed by the program.
- If a container is not found it must be reported by means of an error message.
- If an incorrect container code is inserted it must be reported by means of an error message.
What I've done so far:
I've made a UI and code so that I can type a 11 digit string and the VI will indicate me if its a valid code or not, based in the comparison of the 11th digit.
What I need:
Next step, I believe, is that if the code is valid, I should store it in a database along its position. I know that there is a Database toolkit for LabView, but you must agree it is impractical as this is just an excercise. I was thinking about making an array or a spreadsheet, but have no experience with it. Also it seems that arrays work best with For and While Loops, but I might be wrong... and how can the user assign its position?
Well, thanks all in advance for ANY suggestions. Everything is welcome.
Pohl.