When is best to use a formula node?

[Robst]

Hello:

I just started wondering when would be a good situation to use a formula node??. It's just to save space in the diagram if there's the need to create a complex arithmetic operation?? Wouldn't it be better to just use G??

[altenbach]

I always found the formula node limiting and overly complex to debug and maintain (You cannot probe inside the formula node!). a single misplaced semicolon or syntax error can break your formula.

Much more powerful is the new Mathscript node in LabVIEW 8.0, where you can use matlab-like syntax. 🙂

Personally, I  go with the wires whenever possible. 😉

[smercurio_fc]

I've used formula nodes in rare instances. Pretty much only when it was much more succinct (i.e., less space) to write a few lines of code as opposed to using a bunch of G objects. One case I used it was when I had to lookup a path loss for a given frequency from an array of path loss vs frequency. The built-in interpolation VI only works if the array is ascending, and in my case the data was not monotonically ascending. In this case I just used the formula node to perform the interpolation.

[Darren]

The only time I use a Formula Node is when I need to enter an equation (which is not very often).  Here's a VI I wrote just the other day that was simply faster to write, and probably easier to understand mathematically, than attempting to wire up the same thing.

-D

Message Edited by Darren on 02-09-2006 01:32 PM

[Robst]

Hi all:

Thanks for your replies. I also use G is most situations but wanted to know your opinion. Now that we're talking about Event Structure vs Wiring,  Do you know if there's any execution speed diference between both techniques?

Regards.

Robst.

[smercurio_fc]

Look at this thread:

Faster Execution ?