How can you watch or view a file static or global variable? Was this capability removed?

[ljstrick]

In 6.0 I was able to view a global or file static variable in the watch or variable view window but I haven't been able to do this with 8.0.1 (or 7.1.1). Why was something so basic removed or made so difficult to use?

[bilalD]

This seems to work fine for me. Have you tried right-clicking on the variable and selecting "View Variable Value" ?
Are you not seeing correct results?

[ljstrick]

Yes, I've tried right clicking. I've tried adding watches, viewing variables from the right-click menus, nothing works for viewing global variables in either 7.1.1 or 8.0.1. I can view/watch any variable that is defined in a function but nothing at the global or file global level. If a reference to the global variable of any type is passed in I can view and modify it to my hearts content, but I can not directly touch or view the variable. If I hover over the variable it's value does show up but if it's a structure all it shows is the address of the structure, but I can't change any values from a hover. All of this works fine in 6.0 but I've never been able to do this in anything later. If I try adding a watch all that comes up is a blank window, if I then try to add a watch, it accepts the variable name but NOTHING shows up in the watch window.

[jared]

In 7.1, the variable and watch windows were integrated into the workspace. Like the old one, there are two sections, one for global variables and one for local variables. In the new windows, each section is a tree and they are separated by a horizontal splitter. At some point, someone has probably dragged the splitter all the way up so that the global section was sized to zero. If you hover over the area directly below the Name, Value, and Type column labels, the cursor should change indicating that you are over a splitter. Drag it down, and the global section should appear.

Hope this helps.

- jared

[ljstrick]

Thanks, that was it. At the higher resolutions of the newer monitors the splitter practically disappears. Is there some way of making it a different color? Or they could change it so if it has been reduced to zero height and a global (or local) variable is selected then adjust the height to a single  line?

I had let someone use my computer one day just after installing 7.1.1 and they must have done it then. It's really weird because both the watch and view windows had had the same thing done to them. I personally like the floating window version of 6.0 better, especially with the multiple monitor setups available now. Is there a way of getting 8.0.1 to use that method instead of the unified window garbage? It gets really annoying having to resize everything all the time depending on whether you are debugging or developing, and then when the project window slides out the editor windows move so you can't see the code you were working on.

[Mert_A.]

If you want the multiple window view of CVI back, just uncheck "Window Confinement Region" from the View menu.

Mert A.
National Instruments

[ljstrick]

Thanks, that is much better.