Control icons and code readability

[falkpl]

I use custom cluster type definitions constantly throughout my code to improve readability and ease of maintenance.  I keep these structures small and the naming simple and concise.  These work just like a defined structure in an object oriented language.  Adding fields will not break the code and the bundle/un-bundle by name makes reading the code so easy.  One problem I find is that cluster constants take up so much real estate on the code diagram which counteracts the readability.  Can the constants be replaced with an icon, this would make my life so much easier.  Even nicer is if the view as icon would work for constants as it does for controls/indicators (LV7.0) but assumes the custom control's icon instead of a generic control icon.  Can this already be done?  Sometimes I have many fields in these clusters and I end up manually shrinking it down but this looks bad.  I know that for constants often you want so show the values in the code, but mostly I need the case that I want to build a bundle by name and I have to pass a typedef as a prototype so the field names get populated.  Is there any way to do this or can there be in the future?

Paul 

[tst]

I can suggest a workaround - for each typedef create a VI which will have that typedef as an output. Then, use that VI as your constant. A bit convulted, but I think it should work.

As a more permanant solution, why not click Support on the top of the page and make a suggestion?

[LV_Pro]

I have used tst's technique, for the very reasons you mention. The problem with shrinking them down is that if you change the type def (add a new control, whatever), the constants will revert to their full size everywhere you've used, which can make your nicely laid out diagrams suddenly look horrible. Another work around is to put the type def'd cluster on the front panel as a control and either put it where the user can't get at it or see it, or turn off its visibility.

P.M.

[LV_Pro]

If it looks like your post's submission hasn't gone, don't hit submit again, wait for a moment. I've spared you from reading my previous post twice, it would be nice if we could go in a delete our own posts though.

P.M.

Message Edited by LV_Pro on 08-03-2005 12:34 PM

[falkpl]

Thanks for the work-around, I had thought of that but was hoping for something simpler (requiring just a mouse click.  I will take your suggestions.  Maybe this feature will be automatic in the future.  I also wouldn't mind the ability to change a front panel object to an icon for input/output nodes which don't have to be visible in their full form but also should be visible in one form, they show up but take little room.  A nice option in my mind.

Paul 

[falkpl]

Yes, the problem with reverting to full-size on modification of the type definition cluster was my main pet-peeve.  I wish it would just go away.