How to dinamically convert an indicator to control?

[xdaf]

Hello all,

I need to write an application that:

1) Reads an array of strings from a file, and show it on a indicator (and this is correctly done)

2) Edit the array, as it was a control

3) Elaborate the strings (My array is a list of SPI commands, that are sent to an external device)

4) Optionally, save the modified array back to a file

How can this be done? It's not possible to think of a property node that converts the indicator to control, because the indicator is connected to a source of data, and the control should be connected to a destination... (an SPI driver in my case)

I somehow need an item with two connections, one entering and one exiting.

Thanks

[Rupali · Accepted solution]

Hello... 🙂

Try to do this with local variable of that indicator.. So you will be able to use it as indicator as well as control... 🙂

Just a thought.. 🙂

[yenknip]

You could use a control and use the disable property node to make it appear to change between a control and indicator. You could write to the control using property nodes / variables when needed.

[AntoineP]

Hello xdaf,

You could use local variables of an array command

[Rupali]

Exactly what I wanted to say... Thanks AntoineP.. 🙂

[xdaf]

Hello all,

and thanks for your replies!

I think I've adopted a solution similar to the one you suggested, obtaining this front panel (see "frontpanel1.jpg" attachment)

The frontpanel I'd like to obtain is the one depicted on "frontpanel2.jpg": one structure (control or indicator?) used both to edit and to view what I load from file.

Maybe the only solution is to overlap a control and an indicator, and to toggle the "visible" property...

[yenknip]

I would just use an indicator, with the actual contents of the array held in a shift register. When a change is made to the sequence, save the shanges to the shift register and update the indicator.

If you want to be able to enter data into the element. Then I would use a string control, and enable / disable the control to allow editing.

Message Edited by yenknip on 09-24-2008 02:00 PM

[xdaf]

Now I understand what you mean... and it's working!!!

For a given control, I can creat two local variables: a readable one and a writable one.

Thanks to everybody!

Message Edited by xdaf on 09-24-2008 04:26 PM

[smercurio_fc]

Please note that local variables should be used with caution, and in most cases are not even necessary. Also, local variables can lead to race conditions.

Personally, I would look for a more elegant solution than using local variables. 

[yenknip]

I think a variable is justified, because the array is being initialised from a file, before allowing the user to edit the elements. If the control is disabled then there is no scope for race conditions