Do You Use the TestStand API Reference Poster?

[AllenP]

The TestStand R&D Team would like to know how you use the TestStand API Reference Poster that ships with TestStand.  How often do you use it?  Is it hanging up near your computer?  What tasks do you use it for?

Allen P.
NI

[Tonythetiger]

I only used the poster once to see where a certain call was located.  I'm new to test stand using it since sept, but i don't find it helpful at all.  It would be nice if the poster was more put into a mini book... that descibe what the call does  and how you can use it.  Maybe one or 2 likes showing the use of the command.

Anyways the poster is with all the other materials that came with the box.

[RayFarmer]

Hi,

I dont use the hard copy. I unfolded the it the first time it appeared in version 3.0. Refolded it, put it back in the box and have never bothered with it since.

I have used the electronic version now again, when I haven't got access to the programmer help doc which you find in the teststand\bin folder.

I find its use limited, as it only really gives you the relationship between classes and a list of the properties and methods. This you can obtain for the help document.

Regards

Ray Farmer

[GovBob]

I have used the poster to teach myself how TestStand works. Especially after taking the TestStand courses. I don't have it hung on the wall at this time as I am working more in LabView at this time. Soon I will need to rewrite a application written in TestStand that uses a VB operator interface. I don't use VB so I plan on writing a OI in LabView. I'm thinking it will be really useful when I start that project. The application will also work with data bases and report generation as well. I would agree with the other person who said a minibook would be useful. But I do like the poster format.

[trussell]

The first eight months I started developing in Teststand I didn't use it.  Once I had enough confidence to start modifying the process models like creating my own custom report generator, the poster is hanging on the wall.  One API call I use constantly is the change step name.  I use this in a generic test sequence like read analog channel but I change the step name to whatever the name of the calling sequence.  This takes a generic test name and gives it something more descriptive.  The poster is a good way to display the information, it's alot to take in for a new user, but it is what it is... 

[Simon_Holman]

I really love the posters. Although I don't use them that often, but find them really handy when you can't quite remember names, or whats available. I know I can just look up the help files, but I find the posters much quicker.

[GerNa]

I don't use the API Reference Poster. I've had a lock at it but it was not very usefull for me. I'am using the Test Stand Reference Manual and I'am using the Examples delivered with Test Stand.

What I've had missed is a starting point or a how to for the API. The online help is good if you know what you are seeking but if you do not have a starting point the online help dosn't realy help much.

Greetings Gerald Nass, Test System Developer / Engineer

[kphite]

I like to hang it up to impress customers and colleagues alike.

kph

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@AllenP wrote:

The TestStand R&D Team would like to know how you use the TestStand API Reference Poster that ships with TestStand.  How often do you use it?  Is it hanging up near your computer?  What tasks do you use it for?

Allen P.
NI

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[Captain_Jack]

I'm not sure it it's the same thing, but I did use the TestStand User Interface Controls reference poster, to attempt to understand what's changed since v2.1.  haven't looked at the API poster - I typically use the help functions in conjunction with the Active-X menus to see what's available (the venerable blind search method).

-Jack

[Mikef]

I don't use it.  Most of my work (that requires it) is in the past, when we were doing development.

Typically, if I do need to reference it, I use the PDF version that's in the Help files.  Easier to do a Search.

Mike