Where does the memory of a copied object come from?

[relative0]

Here is the problem, I copy one little piece, (like an array). When I paist the array node onto a fresh new VI block diagram on the front panel it looks just like that of its parent, (where I copied the Array node from). What I am wondering is how does the computer know that the display is supposed to look like a 6x7 Matrix that looks like a connect 4 game, (in this case). Where is this memory held? How does the computer even know what this matrix is supposed to look like initially, (in the parent VI). Please see the attached example.

Thanks much,

Brian

[altenbach]

Well, I am no expert on the windows clipboard, but what you're seeing is more of a "feature" than a "problem".

I would not be pleased if it would work in any other way!

Notice, that if you would copy your array, then paste it into MSWord or any graphics program, it would automatically turn into an bitmap image of the indicator.

Do the following experiment: copy the control (^c), then close LabVIEW completely. Now open a new VI and try to paste (^v) it back on the front panel. This time, LabVIEW no longer knows that this was an array control, and you'll only get a nonfunctional image of it on the front panel.

Sorry, I don't know any of the gory detail under the LabVIEW hood, maybe somebody else does. I'm just glad it works the way it does. 😉

[JuanCarlos]

I'm no expert myself on the LabVIEW guts, however I can tell you that LabVIEW keeps it's own internal clipboard. When you copy an object in LabVIEW it sends to the internal clipboard a copy of the object with all the properties and settings. At the same time it gets an image of the control and sends this image to the Windows clipboard. The Windows clipboard is limited in the objects that can be stored; and the description of a LV object would not be very usefull to Word or Excel.

This method of dual clipboard gives you the best of 2 words: copy internal objects with all of it's properties and gives external applications something usefull from the clipboard.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Juan Carlos
N.I.