Updating a sequence progress display in a VB UI

[danwebb]

Hi, I am writing a TestStand UI in Visual Basic and using the SimpleUI example that ships with TestStand as a basis but I'd like to include extra display info.

I am currently receiving the Trace_UIMessage and extracting the thread, context and currentStep to get the info as the execution progresses. Instead of simply displaying step names and results once they are executed (simpleUI), I wanted to display the entire sequence step list and then highlight the current step. I have managed this by using the StepIndex and number of steps to loop and get all the step names, initially. I can then use the stepindex to highlight the current step.
There are still problems though - I’d like the whole display to function the same w
ay the "teexec" MainUIexample (that also ships with TestStand) does!

I'd like the display to refresh this steplist display to show all steps as the StepGroup changes. Also if a step is a sequence call, I'd like the display to clear and then show all steps in the new sequence, highlighting the current step as execution progresses. Finally, when execution returns to the main sequence after a sequence call, the display should revert back also. The current step should be highlighted and previous step results shown.

I am currently trying to follow the source code for this within the "teexec" MainUIexample but this is proving time consuming and not straight forward - hence this post!

My question is really, can anyone explain in detail what should the methodology be for handling the Trace_UIMessage and extracting, displaying and updating the relevant sequence info should be?
What events should be handled and how so as to update the display as I have described?
Does anyone have exam
ple code which shows this run-time sequence update display?

I hope that sort of makes sense!
Thanks in advance
Dan

[rpfi]

Hello Dan,

You mentioned that you are using the Simple VB OI. In both Simple and Complex they handle the UI_Messages using ActiveX Events. In the complex OI it calls the Trace_UIMsg function that is inside ExeDisplay form. This function basically updates the Step List display.

I suggest you to read the "Writing An Application with the API" section of the TestStand Programmer Help file. It describes in detail what aspects you need to take care of in the OI.

In addition, I would say that the Complex VB OI is a very good example that shows exactly what you want to do. As you may noticed it is more advanced, but it includes comments that can help you figure out what is going on.

Regards,

Roberto Piacentini
National Instruments
Applications Engi
neer
www.ni.com/support