Creatively importing data from Excel 2003 using Labview 8.2?

[Dennis_Knutson]

I've used TestStand for several years and don't know what I would do without it. Out of the box, it has built-in reporting tools (HTML, XML, ATML), database logging, the ability to execute tests in parallel, loading of test limits from external files, and a variety of pre-defined steps. The included steps are things such as loops, pop-up messages, and IVI instrument drivers. For the most part, you can just concentrate on writing the actual tests. You can accept the defaults and not have to write a user interface or any logging/reporting code. One downside is that it would be one more program that you would have to learn in a pretty short time. You can download an evaluation copy but as far as I know, there are no books or on-line tutorials for TestStand. NI does offer classes in Austin and in other cities and taking one of these classes is highly recomended.

[Erik_1]

When using a standard state machine is there a good way to prevent the main loop from polling continuously (without using an event structure)?

[mikeporter]

You can also do it with a queue. If the dequeue function is given a timeout of -1 it will sit there forever taking up no CPU time. Of course, you have to make provisions for stopping the thing... And you do that by defining a queue value that tells the loop to stop.

Mike...

[mikeporter]

>> I might just “hard code” the automatic sequences into the main program.

Unfortunately, you might be right. But there is a proper way to do this: Create subVIs that do nothing internally but pass a constant value to the outputs. The value of this is that as you continue to work on the application and enhance it, you can over time rewrite these "placeholder" VIs one by one to extract the data values from a database rather than constants. Oh, and don't forget to include error IO on these placeholders you don't need them now, but when you start putting database code in them you will.

Mike...

[Erik_1]

Do you by chance have an example of how to implement this (with the timeout waiting for the user to select "begin test" or something like that)?

You have been very helpful - thank you!

-Erik

[mikeporter]

Check this out. It has the code for dequeuing the item.

Mike...