recall function panel in CVI 9

[Wolfgang]

Hello,

I am using the CTRL+P (recall function panel) quite frequently for checking function arguments etc. Doing so opens the function panel as a new tab that covers all my code, even if the panel itself would need much less space. I remember that in earlier versions, prior to the (nice) tabs, this was sort of a popup panel that could be moved around. Phrased differenty, I remember that it was possible to see both the code and the funtion panel - is it still possible with the new tab structure, and how?

Thanks a lot,

Wolfgang

[msaxon]

If you go to Options|Environment... and uncheck 'Show Tabbed Workspace', then the behaviour reverts to the previous style, allowing you to un-maximise the workspace windows.

[nickb]

Hello Wolfgang,

Another option is to view the function panel information directly in the source window.  I use the following shortcuts to view the function prototype, autocomplete, view the help associated with parameters, declare variables, and to show the parameter assistant:

ctrl+shift+space  --  show function prototype

ctrl+shift  --  autocomplete

F1  --  view help associated with function and prototypes if function prototype is being displayed

ctrl+d  -- declare variables within the current scope

ctrl+shift+enter  -- show the parameter assistant

 

I've found using these shortcuts regularly can really speed things up.

NickB

National Instruments 

Message Edited by nickb on 02-03-2009 09:03 AM

[Wolfgang]

Hi Martin, hi Nick,

thanks for assistance!

No, actually I do not want to revert to the old style, I do like the tabs. However sometimes I need to check the help for an individual parameter of a function; in this case, the prototype isn't sufficent, while calling F1 (Help file) takes forever for the first call in a session. In the previous function popup, it was possible to tab to the relevant parameter, and then press F1. Such a functionality would be nice to have with these shortcuts.

However, I am grateful for the hint with F1 after pressing CTRL+SHIFT+Space, I wasn't aware of this mini help. Thanks!

Wolfgang 

[LuisG]

Hi Wolfgang,

If for some reason you still need to use the actual function panels, and you don't want them covering up your entire source, you can use the following command from a function panel window: Window>>Release All FP Windows.

Having said that, there's nothing the function panel help that doesn't also show up in the source window help that Nick described. It's just that some people might prefer the visual layout of the function panel window, or they need access to its menubar/toolbar.

Luis

[Wolfgang]

Hi Luis,

great! This was exactly what I was looking for!

Addressing your second part of the answer, I disagree: Let's take any function, e.g. NonLinearFitWithMaxIters that I was addressing previously. Using CTRL+P and tabbing to one of the parameters, say 'Maximum Iterations', and then pressing F1, reveals a detailed explanation of this parameter:

'Maximum number of iterations allowed.
If NonLinearFitWithMaxIters reaches the maximum number of iterations without reaching a solution, it returns an error. The outputs fittedArray, coefficientArray, and meanSquaredError contain the best filtered array, best fit coefficients, and the mean square error at the end of maximum iterations, respectively.'

This detailed explanation of all the individual parameters can not be found using the mini help in the source windows as described by Nick. Well, at least I wasn't able to find this information...

Thanks,

Wolfgang

[nickb · Accepted solution]

Hello Wolfgang,

The help in the source window is dependant on the position of your cursor.  When your cursor is in position to enter the information for the 'Maximum Iterations' parameter, the help you've cited is shown.

NickB

National Instruments 

Message Edited by nickb on 02-04-2009 07:21 AM

[Wolfgang]

Cool, so many hidden goodies...:-)

It's a very nice feature, and a pity that I didnt' discover it myself... 

Thanks again,

Wolfgang

[atrac]

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LuisG wrote:

Hi Wolfgang,

If for some reason you still need to use the actual function panels, and you don't want them covering up your entire source, you can use the following command from a function panel window: Window>>Release All FP Windows.

Having said that, there's nothing the function panel help that doesn't also show up in the source window help that Nick described. It's just that some people might prefer the visual layout of the function panel window, or they need access to its menubar/toolbar.

Luis

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One good reason to do that for me is that you can invoke and also close the funcion panel using the keyboard only and not touching the mouse which results in faster operations.

Thank you for the advice, I was looking for a way of having FP floating too, without reverting to the old style!

Alessandro

[RobertoBozzolo]

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atrac wrote:

One good reason to do that for me is that you can invoke and also close the funcion panel using the keyboard only and not touching the mouse which results in faster operations.

Thank you for the advice, I was looking for a way of having FP floating too, without reverting to the old style!

Alessandro

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Even without releasing FP windows, you can invoke a function panel using Ctrl+P shortcut. An open FP can be closed with Ctrl+W as all other windows in the IDE; use Ctrl+I to insert the function at the cursor position.