Data entry type in array of clusters

Hi i have 4 column array of cluster
X Y Z & Data entry Type
X+Y=Z simply
I wanna do this
when i entry x; data type cell will auto X (not numerical value just "X")
when i entry z; data type cell will auto Z
Then i can build my algorithm.
How can i do this.
Thanks.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

As i said, you image displays a STRING table.
If you want something like Excel with predefined datatypes for columns, an array of cluster can work out.
But building an algorithm which checks for specific dependencies within a single record/row
a) is very specific
b) can get quite complex.
That being said, you have to start by looking at these dependencies and evaluate if rows can swap/be in arbitrary order.
Simply stating:
row 0 => column 0 is of interest
row 1 => column 1 is of interest
row 2 => column 2 is of interest
will most likely not work.
Norbert
CEO: What exactly is stopping us from doing this?
Expert: Geometry
Marketing Manager: Just ignore it.

Similar Messages

Type defined array of clusters for holding configuration data - setting default values for each array element

Hi,
I was wondering if I could get some information and opinions about using a type defined array of clusters to hold configuration data. I am creating a program to test multiple DUTs and wanted to have a type defined control for each DUT containing the information needed to create the DAQmx tasks for all of the signals for that DUT. I am wanting to do this so that the data is hard-coded and not in a file that the user could mess up.
The type def controls are then put in a subVI that chooses the appropriate one based on the DUT Type enumeration wired to a case structure.
I am having problems with the type defined control. I am seeing issues when attempting to save a unique configuration to each array element in the array of clusters. Somehow it worked to begin with, but now clicking "Data Operations --> Make Current value default" on individual elements of the cluster or the entire cluster (array element) is not saving the data when I re-open the type def control. What am I doing wrong? Am I trying to do something with arrays of clusters that I should not be doing?
I have attached one of the type defined controls for reference. I tried changing it to Strict to see if that helped, but no luck.
To reproduce, change the resource string for array element 0 and make the new value the default value. Then close the type def, and re-open it. The old value is still present in that element. The VI is saved in LabVIEW 2012.
Solved!
Go to Solution.
Attachments:
CM_AnalogInputs.ctl ‏11 KB

Values of a typedef are not proprigated to instances of the control. THey will pick it up if created AFTER the data values have been changed. THey will not get updated with future changes. You should either create a VI specifically for hardcoding your values or implement a file based initialization. The file based would be much better and more flexible. If you don't want users to modify the data simply encrypt it. There is a noce blowfish library you can download.
Mark Yedinak
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?"
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot

Data entry in array of clusters

Hi guys. I have 2 array of clusters in tab. My cluster have different types elements. I need get referance data entry.
I can do it for one array of cluster with dynamic event structure but cant do it for other.
My vi in attachment.
Can anyone help me for solution?
Thanks.
Kerem
Solved!
Go to Solution.
Attachments:
x1.vi ‏21 KB

Why can't you just duplicate the same for the Array 2? I am not sure what is the actual problem you are facing but duplication did work.
The best solution is the one you find it by yourself
Attachments:
x1_Anand.vi ‏29 KB

Labview How to specify 1d array of clusters as data types for variant to data

Hi, I'm new to labview. Can anyone tell me how to specify 1d array of clusters as data types for variant to data?

First of all, you should be sure that there is such a data type within the variant; otherwise, you will run into errors.
I recommend you to create the cluster and create a type definition from it. Then drop an array shell from the array palette and drop the cluster type into that array.
Connect that constant to the data type input of the Variant To Data function.
Norbert
CEO: What exactly is stopping us from doing this?
Expert: Geometry
Marketing Manager: Just ignore it.

Call library function node with array of clusters using array data pointer

Hello all.
I am writing a LabVIEW wrapper for an existing DLL function.
The function has, as one of its parameters, an array of structs. The struct is very simple, containing two integers. I am using the call library function node to access it.
In Labview I created an array of clusters, where the cluster has two 32-bit integers as its members. So far, so good.
Now I have to pass this in to the Call Library Function Node. Here I am running into trouble.
I have used The topic in LAVA and The topic in the knowledge base as my primary sources of information, though I have read a bunch of forum topics on the subject too.
I do understand that I could write a new function which takes as a parameter a struct with the size as the first member and an array as the second, and I might just do this and have it call the regular function, but I was hoping to do it more simply.
According to the C file which LabVIEW generates for me from the CLFN when I choose "Adapt to Type" and "Array Data Pointer", the prototype it is expecting is:
int32_t myFunc(uint32_t handle, uint16_t channel,
int32_t FIFOnumber, void data[], int32_t numWords, int32_t *actualLoaded,
int32_t *actualStartIndex);
And the prototype of the function in my DLL is
int borland_dll myFunc(DWORD handle, usint channel,
int FIFOnumber, struct mStruct *data, int numWords, int *actualLoaded, int *actualStartIndex);
This looks like a match to me, but it doesn't work (I get garbage in data). From the topic in LAVA referenced above, I understood that it would work. It does not.
If I cast data to the pointer-to-pointer I get when I generate c code by wiring my struct to a CIN and generating, then I seem to get what I expect. But this seems to work when I choose "pointers to handles" too, and I would expect array data pointer to give a different result.
Is there any way to get this to work directly, or will I have to create a wrapper? (I am currently using LabVIEW 2011, but we have customers using 2009 and 2012, if not other versions as well).
Thank you.
Batya
Solved!
Go to Solution.

OK, here is more detailed information.
I have attached the VI.
This is the code from the "C" file created by right-clicking the CLN and creating a "C" file.
When the parameter in the CLN is set to "array data pointer":
/* Call Library source file */
#include "extcode.h"
int32_t Load_Transmit_FIFO_RTx(uint32_t handle, uint16_t channel,
int32_t FIFOnumber, void data[], int32_t numWords, int32_t *actualLoaded,
int32_t *actualStartIndex);
int32_t Load_Transmit_FIFO_RTx(uint32_t handle, uint16_t channel,
int32_t FIFOnumber, void data[], int32_t numWords, int32_t *actualLoaded,
int32_t *actualStartIndex)
/* Insert code here */
When the parameter is "pointers to handles":
/* Call Library source file */
#include "extcode.h"
/* lv_prolog.h and lv_epilog.h set up the correct alignment for LabVIEW data. */
#include "lv_prolog.h"
/* Typedefs */
typedef struct {
int32_t control;
int32_t data;
} TD2;
typedef struct {
int32_t dimSize;
TD2 data[1];
} TD1;
typedef TD1 **TD1Hdl;
#include "lv_epilog.h"
int32_t Load_Transmit_FIFO_RTx(uint32_t handle, uint16_t channel,
int32_t FIFOnumber, TD1Hdl *data, int32_t numWords, int32_t *actualLoaded,
int32_t *actualStartIndex);
int32_t Load_Transmit_FIFO_RTx(uint32_t handle, uint16_t channel,
int32_t FIFOnumber, TD1Hdl *data, int32_t numWords, int32_t *actualLoaded,
int32_t *actualStartIndex)
/* Insert code here */
When the parameter is set to "handles by value":
/* Call Library source file */
#include "extcode.h"
/* lv_prolog.h and lv_epilog.h set up the correct alignment for LabVIEW data. */
#include "lv_prolog.h"
/* Typedefs */
typedef struct {
int32_t control;
int32_t data;
} TD2;
typedef struct {
int32_t dimSize;
TD2 data[1];
} TD1;
typedef TD1 **TD1Hdl;
#include "lv_epilog.h"
int32_t Load_Transmit_FIFO_RTx(uint32_t handle, uint16_t channel,
int32_t FIFOnumber, TD1Hdl *data, int32_t numWords, int32_t *actualLoaded,
int32_t *actualStartIndex);
int32_t Load_Transmit_FIFO_RTx(uint32_t handle, uint16_t channel,
int32_t FIFOnumber, TD1Hdl *data, int32_t numWords, int32_t *actualLoaded,
int32_t *actualStartIndex)
/* Insert code here */
As to the DLL function, it is a bit more complicated than I explained above, in the current case. My VI calls the function by this name in one DLL, and that DLL loads a DLL and calls a function (with the same name) in the second DLL, which does the work. (Thanks Rolfk, for helping me with that one some time back!)
Here is the code in the first ("dispatcher") DLL:
int borland_dll Load_Transmit_FIFO_RTx(DWORD handle, usint channel, int FIFOnumber, struct FIFO_DATA_CONTROL *data, int numWords, int *actualLoaded, int *actualStartIndex)
t_DispatchTable *pDispatchTable = (t_DispatchTable *) handle;
int retStat = 0;
retStat = mCheckDispatchTable(pDispatchTable);
if (retStat < 0)
return retStat;
if (pDispatchTable->pLoad_Transmit_FIFO_RTx == NULL)
return edispatchercantfindfunction;
return pDispatchTable->pLoad_Transmit_FIFO_RTx(pDispatchTable->handlertx, channel, FIFOnumber, data, numWords, actualLoaded, actualStartIndex);
borland_dll is just "__declspec(dllexport)"
The current code in the DLL that does the work is:
// TEMP
typedef struct {
int control;
int data;
} TD2;
typedef struct {
int dimSize;
TD2 data[1];
} TD1;
typedef TD1 **TD1Hdl;
// END TEMP
int borland_dll Load_Transmit_FIFO_RTx(int handlertx, usint channel, int FIFOnumber, struct FIFO_DATA_CONTROL *data, int numWords, int *actualLoaded, int *actualStartIndex){
struct TRANSMIT_FIFO *ptxFIFO; //pointer to transmit FIFO structure
usint *pFIFOlist; //pointer to array of FIFO pointers to FIFO structures
int FIFOentry, numLoaded;
usint *lclData;
usint nextEntryToTransmit;
// TEMP
FILE *pFile;
int i;
TD1** ppTD = (TD1**) data;
TD1 *pTD = *ppTD;
pFile = fopen("LoadFIFOLog.txt", "w");
fprintf(pFile, "Starting Load FIFO with %d data words, data pointer 0x%x, with the following data&colon; \n", numWords, data);
for (i = 0; i < numWords; i++) {
fprintf(pFile, "%d: control--0x%x, data--0x%x \n", i, data[i].control, data[i].data);
fflush(pFile);
fprintf(pFile, "OK, using CIN generated structures: dimSize %d, with the following data&colon; \n", pTD->dimSize);
for (i = 0; i < numWords; i++) {
fprintf(pFile, "%d: control--0x%x, data--0x%x \n", i, pTD->data[i].control, pTD->data[i].data);
fflush(pFile);
// END TEMP
if ((handlertx) <0 || (handlertx >= NUMCARDS)) return ebadhandle;
if (cardrtx[handlertx].allocated != 1) return ebadhandle;
pFIFOlist = (usint *) (cardrtx[handlertx].segaddr + cardrtx[handlertx].glob->dpchn[channel].tr_stk_ptr);
pFIFOlist += FIFOnumber;
ptxFIFO = (struct TRANSMIT_FIFO *)(cardrtx[handlertx].segaddr + *pFIFOlist);
//use local copy of ptxFIFO->nextEntryToTransmit to simplify algorithm
nextEntryToTransmit = ptxFIFO->nextEntryToTransmit;
//on entering this routine nextEntryToLoad is set to the entry following the last entry loaded
//this is what we need to load now unless it's at the end of the FIFO in which case we need to wrap around
if ( ptxFIFO->nextEntryToLoad >= ptxFIFO->numEntries)
*actualStartIndex = 0;
else
*actualStartIndex = ptxFIFO->nextEntryToLoad;
//if nextEntryToLoad points to the last entry in the FIFO and nextEntryToTransmit points to the first, the FIFO is full
//also if nextEntryToLoad == nextEntryToTransmit the FIFO is full and we exit without loading anything
if (( (( ptxFIFO->nextEntryToLoad >= ptxFIFO->numEntries) && (nextEntryToTransmit == 0)) ||
( ptxFIFO->nextEntryToLoad == nextEntryToTransmit)) && (ptxFIFO->nextEntryToLoad != INITIAL_ENTRY)){
*actualLoaded = 0; //FIFO is full already, we can't add anything
return 0; //this is not a failure, we just have nothing to do, this is indicated in actualLoaded
numLoaded = 0;
lclData = (usint *)data; //must use 16 bit writes to the module
//conditions are dealt with inside the for loop rather than in the for statement itself
for (FIFOentry = *actualStartIndex; ; FIFOentry++) {
//if we reached the end of the FIFO
//if the module is about to transmit the first element of the FIFO, the FIFO is full and we're done
//OR if the module is about to transmit the element we're about to fill in, we're done - the
//exception is if this is the first element we're filling in which means the FIFO is empty
if ((( FIFOentry >= ptxFIFO->numEntries) && (nextEntryToTransmit == 0)) ||
((FIFOentry == nextEntryToTransmit) && (FIFOentry != *actualStartIndex) )){
*actualLoaded = numLoaded;
//set nextEntryToLoad to the end of the FIFO, we'll set it to the beginning next time
//this allows us to distinguish between full and empty: nextEntryToLoad == nextEntryToTransmit means empty
ptxFIFO->nextEntryToLoad = FIFOentry;
return 0;
//we reached the end but can continue loading from the top of the FIFO
if ( FIFOentry >= ptxFIFO->numEntries)
FIFOentry = 0;
//load the control word
ptxFIFO->FifoData[FIFOentry * 3] = *lclData++;
//skip the high of the control word, the module only has a 16 bit field for control
lclData++;
//now put in the data
ptxFIFO->FifoData[(FIFOentry * 3) + 2] = *lclData++;
ptxFIFO->FifoData[(FIFOentry * 3) + 1] = *lclData++;
numLoaded++;
//we're done because we loaded everything the user asked for
if (numLoaded >= numWords) {
*actualLoaded = numLoaded;
ptxFIFO->nextEntryToLoad = FIFOentry+1;
return 0;
//if we reached here, we're done because the FIFO is full
*actualLoaded = numLoaded;
ptxFIFO->nextEntryToLoad = FIFOentry;
fclose (pFile);
return 0;
As you can see, I added a temporary diagnostic with the structures that were created in the "Handles by value" case, and print out the data. I see what is expected, whichever of the options I pick in the CLN!
I understood (from the information in the two links I mentioned in my original post, and from the name of the option itself) that "array data pointer" should pass the array of data itself, without the dimSize field. But that does not seem to be what is happening.
Batya
Attachments:
ExcM4k Load Transmit FIFO.vi ‏15 KB

Mixed Data Type Table Control for Data Entry

Hi Guys --
I'm attempting to do error-checked data entry,
My data is mixed: path, boolean, and numeric. The natural organization is an array of clusters. For instance, the cluster element would look like "path, boolean, numeric, numeric" and I would have many rows of this data cluster. To further complicate things I have to dynamically define the number of numeric elements in the cluster (tricky already) and also dynamically define the length of the array.
I find the table control to be ideal to handle the dynamic nature of the data for editing. I can easily use scroll bars to navigate to the appropriate part of the data. I can delete rows and columns etc.
On the other hand, the table can only handle string data. I find that doing data checking and type conversion on the table elements to be extremely cumbersome.
I think what I'm looking for is a Table Control with ability to handle controls as elements. From what I've read in this list and personally experienced, that functionality doesn't exist.
Does LV have in-built functionality that I'm overlooking to resolve this problem? Is there a third-party library that would do the job?
Thanks,
John

Hi Ben --
I think perhaps that I wasn't clear in my description.
As I pointed out, my data is organized naturally as an Array of Clusters. More descriptively, my data looks like spreadsheet data; some text, some numbers. I need to add rows and columns dynamically. I need to be able to resize column widths dynamically... and while the program is executing.
The Table Control does all of this. The intuitive way that the Table Control permits a user to enter data is also good for my user. The Array of Cluster data looks like spreadsheet data and a Table looks close enough to a spreadsheet. A Table permits one to insert and delete rows, resize columns widths, and scroll around.
I don't see that I get these features with an Array of Clusters Control.
The issue with the Table Control is the lack of in-built data types, so I spend an inordinate amount of time doing type-conversion and range-checking.
At this point I'm pretty much convinced that LV doesn't have the in-built capability that I'm looking for.
I am curious if there are any LV libraries or Active-X controls somewhere that would implement the functionality that I require?

Initializing data in an Array of Clusters

First, thanks in advance for reading this request.
Second, the situation:
I am using an array of clusters for process control.
The cluster contains a boolean, a typedef ring control, and two numeric controls (doubles).
Depending upon the user-requested operation I need anywhere from four to 20 cluster elements in the array.
Raw data for the two numeric controls are contained as elements in three different input clusters.
Each numeric control in each array cluster can use from none to four elements from the input clusters with various additions and subtractions (no mults or divs).
The boolean and ring can be set as constants for each element based on the user request.
Third, the request:
Is there a simple way to initialize the values in the cluster (and hence the array) without having to run wires everywhere?
I have been writing embedded code and PC applications for many years and am only recently tackling LabView.
In C, I would create a structure of the four elements and then create and array of structures.
The initialization would require a few lines of code.
I have tried using formula nodes (perhaps incorrectly). All they do is remove the Numeric blocks (like + and -), but they don't create the cluster.
I am sure that there is an easier way of accomplishing what I need to do, I am just too inexperienced to know what it is.
Any help or suggestions is welcome.
Thanks in advance.

Create a cluster with the desired default values as diagram constant, wire it to "initialize array" and wire the desired array size.
The output will be the desired construct that you could write to e.g. a local variable of the target.
I hope I understood you correctly. If not, attach a small VI containing your array.
LabVIEW Champion . Do more with less code and in less time .

Keyboard "tab" control in Array of Clusters

I'm trying to polish some of my LabVIEW user interfaces so that my users can work faster in them and so that they follow more "Windows UI Standards" (or whatever).
I have an array of clusters. The cluster has 3 numerics.
When a user "focusses" on the first numeric within a cluster and hits the tab key, it moves the focus to the second numeric. Hit tab again, and it jumps to the 3rd numeric. Hit the tab key a 3rd time and it jumps back to the first numeric in the cluster. What I want to happen is for the focus to move to the first numeric in the next element of the array.
I've started to play around with the "Key Down" event case that has a conditional looking for "TAB" and then checks the "FindCtrlWithKeyFocus" with the last numeric. My probes within this event show that the "TAB" key detection is working, but the "FindCtrlWithKeyFocus" never has a TRUE output from the "CtrlFound?" output of the Invoke Node.
Even if I did know if tab was pressed in the last element, I'm not real sure how to move focus to the first numeric within the next cluster element of the array.
A numeric array behaves in the correct way. I could get the program working the way I want with a 2d array of numerics. However, each numeric has different data entry parameters and there is also a lost of "self documentation". I would like to find a solution because this has come up with other, more complex, array of clusters that would not be solveable with a 2d array of a base type.
Seems overly complicated to me.
Bonus Question: The default value of my numerics is 0. When my user clicks a numeric the cursor is on either side of the 0 and the user has to delete the 0 prior to their data input. When a numeric is entered via the Tab key, the whole field is selected. When the whole field is selected, whatever the user inputs will replace the original "0" that was in the field. Anyway to have the whole field selected when the user uses the mouse?
Sorry for the wall-of-text post (and the preposition hell). Thanks for your input.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Well I've gone and gotten the tabbing behavior you're looking for.
-the key is to set "skip when tabbing" on the controls inside the clusters to true, and leave it false for the array elements. Now when keyfocus is on one of the cluster controls and Tab is pressed, LV will put the keyfocus on the next visible array element.
-then use a "key down?" filtering event to check and see if any of those controls have keyfocus when Tab is pressed. If so, and it's not the last control in the cluster, discard the keypress and programmatically advance keyfocus to the next item.
-Finally if the Tab press was not discarded, use a normal "key down" UI event to check if one of the array elements now has keyfocus and if so, set KF to the first control in its array.
So in short, this setup turns off tabbing along a row so that every tab will move to the next row. Then it filters out Tab if it's not yet at the end of the row. Finally, it automatically puts the cursor in the first column when the row has advanced.
One significant drawback is that it only tabs between visible array elements. You can probably make it auto scroll.
I'll leave it as an exercise for the reader to handle the shift+Tab (reverse tabbing) key presses.
To me, this runs up against three holes in LV UI programming:
1) Array Element events should be available. The Array:Key Down event only handles key presses when the array has keyfocus, not when things inside it do. Any kind of key filtering has to be done at the VI level (!!!).
The data source for these events should include the element index (eg what cell was clicked on?)
2) There aren't effective ways in VI server to deal with individual array elements. I recognize that some of it is the basis that array elements have the same properties, but there are display and selection properties that do differ between cells. I ought to be able to specify that a particular cell index has keyfocus. Arrays, why can't you be more like Tables?
3)Tab order should be flat, not hierarchical.
edit: in case the snippet messes things up, file is attached.
-Barrett
CLD
Attachments:
Tab through cluster array elements.vi ‏28 KB

Cluster resource 'Analysis Services' of type 'Generic Service' in clustered role 'SQL Server' failed.

Windows Server 2012 R2
SQL Server 2012
After a recent cluster failover from node 1 to node 2, the Analysis Services role is in a failed state, with the service stopped. When attempting to start the service, there are two error messages captured in Failover Cluster Manager:
Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-FailoverClustering
Date:          4/10/2014 11:48:49 AM
Event ID:      1042
Task Category: Generic Service Resource
Level:         Error
Keywords:
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      HQ-HASQL-1.sbgnet.int
Description:
Generic service 'Analysis Services (HASQL)' failed with error '1067'. Please examine the application event log.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-FailoverClustering" Guid="{BAF908EA-3421-4CA9-9B84-6689B8C6F85F}" />
    <EventID>1042</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>16</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2014-04-10T15:48:49.752168200Z" />
    <EventRecordID>26212</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation />
    <Execution ProcessID="9036" ThreadID="14748" />
    <Channel>System</Channel>
    <Computer>HQ-HASQL-1.sbgnet.int</Computer>
    <Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
</System>
<EventData>
    <Data Name="ResourceName">Analysis Services (HASQL)</Data>
    <Data Name="Status">1067</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>
Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-FailoverClustering
Date:          4/10/2014 11:48:49 AM
Event ID:      1069
Task Category: Resource Control Manager
Level:         Error
Keywords:
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      HQ-HASQL-1.sbgnet.int
Description:
Cluster resource 'Analysis Services (HASQL)' of type 'Generic Service' in clustered role 'SQL Server (HASQL)' failed.
Based on the failure policies for the resource and role, the cluster service may try to bring the resource online on this node or move the group to another node of the cluster and then restart it. Check the resource and group state using Failover Cluster
Manager or the Get-ClusterResource Windows PowerShell cmdlet.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-FailoverClustering" Guid="{BAF908EA-3421-4CA9-9B84-6689B8C6F85F}" />
    <EventID>1069</EventID>
    <Version>1</Version>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>3</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2014-04-10T15:48:49.752168200Z" />
    <EventRecordID>26213</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation />
    <Execution ProcessID="6464" ThreadID="9076" />
    <Channel>System</Channel>
    <Computer>HQ-HASQL-1.sbgnet.int</Computer>
    <Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
</System>
<EventData>
    <Data Name="ResourceName">Analysis Services (HASQL)</Data>
    <Data Name="ResourceGroup">SQL Server (HASQL)</Data>
    <Data Name="ResTypeDll">Generic Service</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>
With just these generic error messages being present, this has been difficult to diagnose. Some research has yielded possible resolutions of the Event Viewer log being full, .NET corruption, missing registry entries, but none of those seem to be the issue
(Event Viewer logs cleared, Analysis services is working on the same physical servers in a different cluster, and the registry entries was only a supported issue for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2).
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bring up Configuration Manager, look at binary path for SSAS. Make sure BOTH folders exist. Sometimes with failovers mappings get screwed up.

Brick Wall Problem: Array of Clusters, Size of array from reference

Good Morning Forums,
I have hit a brick wall with my application and I am hoping somebody can help!
I have an array of clusters of indeterminate size (the cluster is generic, data contained not relevant.).
Inputs to the VI are: a reference to the array, and a variant containing the data.
My problem is I need to determine the array size from these two inputs and I cannot find a way to do it!
If the array contained a standard data type I can use the class name property to determine data type, and the size of the array returned from "select size" property to determine dimension size. With this information i can cast the variant into the correct data type and use this to determine the size of the array. If the data is a cluster the class name simply returns "cluster" so I cannot cast the variant and therefore am unable to determine the size.
I am not worried about casting the data (once i determine the size this bit is no issue), I just need to determine the size (and preferably number of dimensions) of the array. Can this be done?
Cheers for any help
J
John.P | Certified LabVIEW Architect | NI Alliance Member
Solved!
Go to Solution.

John.P wrote:
Good Morning Forums,
I am not worried about casting the data (once i determine the size this bit is no issue), I just need to determine the size (and preferably number of dimensions) of the array. Can this be done?
Cheers for any help
J
There seem to be a couple of potential solutions.:
#1 if the varient is created within LabVIEW you can wite size(s) to a varient attribute. This would be pretty straightforward and easy to implement- I imagine you would have thought of that so you may not have access to the code writing cluster to varient and it gets a bit trickier.
#2 cast the varient to string and return string length- this should give you a measure of total size and you would need to know the size per element of cluster (just cast one instance of cluster array to varient and then to string with size and size++) but this only returns the total size of the array since nDim arrays are actually stored sequentially.
Hope this helped
Jeff

Array Of Clusters Not Initializing or Possible Race Conditions

Hi all,
I've been working on a fairly complex project for work, and I haven't worked with Labview before. Unfortunately nobody in my office really has experience with it so I'm on my own. I've mostly got the project working, and it might be a little cumbersome, but if it works that's fine.
Essentially it's a temperature control device and I made it so it's expandable, thus the clusters and arrays everywhere.
My question is this. I've got an array of clusters indicating the status of all the plates in the system. When I start up the VI for the first time they do not initialize. They just stay grey, but when I stop it and start it once, it will work every time. I think this is kind of strange behavior. I've heard of race conditions and while I've tried to make sure t hat's not happening, it might be without me noticing.
I've tried putting an initialize array block in the first call while loop and that doesn't do anything, and if I remove the initializer from the shift register in the top while loop that stops them being initalized altogether.
I guess I was hoping someone might have an idea what's causing it, or could possible give my code the once over. The main bulk of it is in the very top of the code, but there are a lot of smaller events taking care of GUI type stuff.
I've included all source code. It might be a little much but I didn't want to start pulling it apart if I don't know what's happening.
Thanks in advance.
Chris.
Solved!
Go to Solution.
Attachments:
Error During Cycle Controls.zip ‏3107 KB
Stop Cycle Controls.zip ‏2115 KB
Stop Cycle Controls.zip ‏4975 KB

Chris Johnson wrote:
So just to confirm, I can have one event structure with say 10 events happening? In this case could an event happen simultaneously with another? I thought I read something about each event having it's own event structure and while loop to make sure this works out.
Each event case must complete before it can handle the next event, but many events will complete so quickly that this is not an issue (such as your "pause chart" button). In general you should have only one event loop. If you expect an event to take a long time to process, use a queue to hand that task off to another dedicated-purpose loop, so that the event structure can go back to waiting. This is one example of the producer-consumer structure often mentioned on this forum: the producer is the loop containing the event structure, and it queues (produces) items to process. A separate loop dequeues (consumes) those items and handles them appropriately.
As GerdW mentioned, you have race conditions all over the place. You'll never know whether the Plate Info Cluster Array is properly updated because it's being written and read simultaneously in so many places. I'm assuming that is also where you're seeing the issue that inspired the post, and, in fact, one of those race conditions could explain what you're seeing.
Chris Johnson wrote:
Also, again, to confirm what I think I already know. When the event completes it outputs whatever data you output from the structure and then you can place it in a shift register. Where does this go until the next event takes place?
I don't understand what you're asking. Where does what go until the next event? If by this you mean the data in the shift register - it stays in the shift register, accessible at the corresponding terminal on the left side of the loop.

Initializing an array of clusters in a CIN?

I'm trying to write a CIN to connect to a mySQL database, retreive some information, and return it to labVIEW for display. The connection works perfectly using ODBC, but I'm having major trouble getting the information back to LabVIEW. I'm new to CINs and I'm still slightly confused as to how the different structures work. I want to return the data in an array of clusters (using struct names, a 'Set' of 'Records'). LV generated the structs, and I simply renamed some of the fields/names. The code I have so far works up to the point specified in the source below, when I try to initialize the array for data entry. I think what's throwing me off is the conplexity of my structures. Since it's an array of clusters, and not an array of say strings or integers, I'm getting confused. If anyone could help me out by telling me what's wrong with my code, and/or filling in the section of the while loop I'm rather clueless on.
typedef struct {
LStrHandle Number;
LStrHandle SerialNumber;
} Record;
typedef struct {
int32 dimSize;
Record ptr[1];
} Set;
typedef Set **SetHdl;
MgErr CINRun(COpt *ConnectionOptions, LStrHandle *Number, SetHdl *RecordSet);
MgErr CINRun(COpt *ConnectionOptions, LStrHandle *Number, SetHdl *RecordSet)
// LV error code
MgErr err = noErr;
// ODBC environment variables
HENV env = NULL;
HDBC dbc = NULL;
HSTMT stmt = NULL;
// Connection options data variables
UCHAR* dsn = malloc(SQL_MAX_DSN_LENGTH * sizeof(UCHAR));
UCHAR* user = malloc(32 * sizeof(UCHAR));
UCHAR* pass = malloc(32 * sizeof(UCHAR));
UCHAR* num = malloc(16 * sizeof(UCHAR));
// Query variables
INT qlen;
INT nlen;
UCHAR colNumber[5];
SDWORD colNumberSize;
UCHAR* query;
INT numRows;
// ODBC return code storage
RETCODE retcode;
/** Prepare data from LV for C++ manipulation **/
strcpy(dsn, LStrBuf((LStrPtr)(*(ConnectionOptions->DSN))));
dsn[(*(ConnectionOptions->DSN))->cnt] = '\0';
strcpy(user, LStrBuf((LStrPtr)(*(ConnectionOptions->Username))));
user[(*(ConnectionOptions->Username))->cnt] = '\0';
strcpy(pass, LStrBuf((LStrPtr)(*(ConnectionOptions->Password))));
pass[(*(ConnectionOptions->Password))->cnt] = '\0';
strcpy(num, LStrBuf((LStrPtr)(*Number)));
// Program crashes here too, but that's the least of my concerns right now. Keep reading down.
//num[(**Number)->cnt] = '\0';
qlen = (int)strlen(
"SELECT m.Number FROM master AS m WHERE (m.Number LIKE '');"
nlen = (int)strlen(num);
query = malloc((qlen + nlen + 1) * sizeof(UCHAR));
sprintf(query,
"SELECT m.Number FROM master AS m WHERE (m.Number LIKE '%s'\0);",
num);
// Prepare and make connection to database
SQLAllocEnv (&env);
SQLAllocConnect(env, &dbc);
retcode = SQLConnect(dbc, dsn, SQL_NTS, user, SQL_NTS, pass, SQL_NTS);
// Test success of connection
if (retcode == SQL_SUCCESS || retcode == SQL_SUCCESS_WITH_INFO)
retcode = SQLAllocStmt(dbc, stmt);
retcode = SQLPrepare(stmt, query, sizeof(query));
retcode = SQLExecute(stmt);
SQLBindCol(stmt, 1, SQL_C_CHAR, colNumber, sizeof(colNumber), &colNumberSize);
SQLRowCount(stmt, &numRows);
//Program crashes on the following line. I get an error in LV saying something about an error in memory.cpp
DSSetHandleSize((*RecordSet), sizeof(int32) + (numRows * sizeof(Record)));
(**RecordSet)->dimSize = numRows;
retcode = SQLFetch(stmt);
numRows = 0;
while (retcode == SQL_SUCCESS || retcode == SQL_SUCCESS_WITH_INFO)
/* Need code here to retreive/create Records and put them in the array */
retcode = SQLFetch(stmt);
numRows++;
SQLDisconnect(dbc);
else
// Free ODBC environment variables
SQLFreeConnect(dbc);
SQLFreeEnv(env);
// Return LV error code
return err;

This looks incorrect:
MgErr CINRun(COpt *ConnectionOptions, LStrHandle *Number, SetHdl *RecordSet)
Did you let LabVIEW generate the C file??
When you pass an array of clusters to a CIN, what is passed is a handle to the array. You are declaring a pointer to a handle. I just did a test passing an array of clusters to a CIN. The C file looks like this (comments are mine):
typedef struct {
int32 Num1;
int32 Num2;
} TD2; // the cluster
typeDef struct {
int32 dimSize;
TD2 Cluster[1];
} TD1; // the array
typeDef TD1 **TD1Hdl; // handle to the array
CIN MgErr CINRun(TD1Hdl Array);
Notice that it passes you a HANDLE, not a pointer to a handle.
On this line:
DSSetHandleSize((*RecordSet), sizeof(int32) + (numRows * sizeof(Record)));
If RecordSet is a HANDLE, then (*RecordSet) is a POINTER - you are passing a POINTER to a routine that expects a HANDLE.
The line:
(**RecordSet)->dimSize = numRows;
Is also incorrect - if RecordSet is a HANDLE, then (*RecordSet) is a POINTER, and (**RecordSet) is an ARRAY, but you're asking it to be a pointer. (*RecordSet)->dimSize would be the size to fetch.
Read the rules again on what is passed to CINs.
I strongly suggest developing the interface first - the VI that calls the CIN. Put the CIN in place and let LabVIEW generate the initial C file.
Then modify the code to do something simple with the input arguments, like fetch the array size, and put this number into an output argument. Something VERY basic, just to test the ins and outs. Debug this until all ins and outs are working.
THEN AND ONLY THEN add code to do whatever work needs doing.
Steve Bird
Culverson Software - Elegant software that is a pleasure to use.
Culverson.com
Blog for (mostly LabVIEW) programmers: Tips And Tricks

Programmatically create array from common cluster items inside array of clusters

I have seen many questions and responses on dealing with arrays of clusters, but none that discuss quite what I am looking for. I am trying to programmatically create an array from common cluster items inside array of clusters. I have a working solution but looking for a cleaner approach. I have an array of clusters representing channels of data. Each cluster contains a mixture of control data types, i.e.. names, types, range, values, units, etc. The entire cluster is a typedef made up of other typedefs such as the type, range and units and native controls like numeric and boolean. One array is a “block” or module. One cluster is a channel of data. I wrote a small vi to extract all the data with the same units and “pipe” them into another array so that I can process all the data from all the channels of the same units together. It consists of a loop to iterate through the array, in which there is an unbundle by name and a case structure with a case for each unit. Within a specific case, there is a build array for that unit and all the other non-relevant shift registers pass through. As you can see from the attached snapshots, the effort to add an additional unit grows as each non-relevant case must be wired through. It is important to note that there is no default case. My question: Is there a cleaner, more efficient and elegant way to do this?
Thanks in advance!
Solved!
Go to Solution.
Attachments:
NI_Chan units to array_1.png ‏35 KB
NI_Chan units to array_2.png ‏50 KB

nathand wrote:
Your comments made me curious, so I put together a quick test. Maybe there's an error in the code (below as a snippet, and attached as a VI) or maybe it's been fixed in LabVIEW 2013, but I'm consistently getting faster times from the IPE (2-3 ms versus 5-6ms for unbundle/index). See if you get the same results. For fun I flipped the order of the test and got the same results (this is why the snippet and the VI execute the tests in opposite order).
This seems like a poster child for using the IPES! We can look at the index array + replace subset and recognize that it is in place, but the compiler is not so clever (yet!). The bundle/unbundle is a well-known "magic pattern" so it should be roughly equivalent to the IPES, with a tiny penalty due to overhead.
Replace only the array operation with an IPES and leave the bundle/unbundle alone and I wager the times will be roughly the same as using the nested IPES. Maybe even a slight lean toward the magic pattern now if I recall correctly.
If you instantly recognize all combinations which the compiler will optimize and not optimize, or you want to exhaustively benchmark all of your code then pick and choose between the two to avoid the slight overhead. Otherwise I think the IPES looks better, at best works MUCH better, and at worst works ever-so-slightly worse. And as a not-so-gentle reminder to all: if you really care about performance at this level of detail: TURN OFF DEBUGGING!

How do i send an array of clusters with variable size over TCP/IP?

Hi,
I'm trying to send an array of clusters with varible size over TCP/IP,. But I'm facing the following problems:
1) I need to accept the size of array data from the user and increase the size dynamically.
I'm doing this using the property node but how do I convey the new size to my TCP read?
2) I need to wire an input to my 'bytes to read' of the TCP read.
But the number of bytes to read changes dynamically
How do I ensure the correct number of bytes are read and reflected on the client side?
3) Is there anyway I can use global varibles over a network such that their values are updated just as if they would on one computer?
Will be a great help if someone posts a solution!
Thank you...

twilightfan wrote:
Altenbach,
... xml string. ...number of columns that I'm varying using property node s... I solved these problems by using a local variable as the type input ...o TCP read is creating a problem.... second TCP read gets truncated data because
its no longer just the first four bytes that specify the length of the data, it could be more as my array of cluster can be pretty huge.
Instead of writing long and complicated sentences that make little sense, why don't you simply show us your code?
What does any of this have to do with xml strings???? I don't see how using a local variable as type input changes anything. The user cannot interact with "property nodes", just with controls. Please clarify. Once the array of clusters is flattened to a string you only have one size that describes the size of the data, no matter how huge it is (as long as it is within the limits of I32). Similarly, you read the string of that same defined length and form the array of clusters from it. How big are the strings? What is your definition of "huge"?
Here's is my earlier code, but now dealing with an array of clusters. Not much of a change. Since you have columns, you want 2D. Add as many diensions you want, but make sure that the control, diagram constant, and indicator all match.
The snipped shows for a 1D array, while the attached VI shows the same for a 2D array. Same difference.
Message Edited by altenbach on 01-31-2010 01:13 AM
LabVIEW Champion . Do more with less code and in less time .
Attachments:
FlattenArrayOfClusters.vi ‏12 KB
ioclusters3MOD.png ‏25 KB

Convert array of clusters to cluster of arrays without for loop

Hi!
Here's a problem: I've got an array of clusters (array of messages). Each cluster consists of elements of different data types: double (time), cluster (parameters), char (station id), byte (message code). I know one cluster size and the array size. I need to draw a time graph. How can I convert the array of clusters to a cluster of arrays (array of time values, array of parameters clusters, arrays of chars and bytes).
I post this question because in my real array of clusters each cluster consists of 162 elements and some of them are clusters themselves, so I realy dont want to wire "for" loops as was advised in other topics.
Hope to get fresh ideas. Memory management? Type Cast? FlatternStrings and variants? Anything!
Thank you.

Idea wrote:
Hi, everybody! Glad you read the post!
There is the cluster in the attachment. The application I make is a TCP client. The cluster is a message. Actually I get a string, find edges ("DIAG" - begin, "GAID" - end) and then I use "unflattern to string" for making the cluster. I cann't make another structure of the message - I didn't make the server. My client has a buffer of recieved messages. I need to plot graphs of different cluster elements for all messages in my buffer (for example the Time 1 element). If I use the for loop it would be too slow. The idea was to convert all buffer to a 2D array of U8 and then use type cast to get the cluster of arrays. Then it would be easy to take ane cluster element and send it to graph.
I didn't sucseed yet.
Idea.
What is your question about?
A) convert the string you get from I don't know where to the giant cluster, the red part in your message, or
B) making a graph out of some element from that giant cluster, who now is in an array, the blue part in your message.
The code you showed us looks a solution for question A but no loop is needed for this. So why bother about a loop that would be too slow here?
Also your code start from an array of U8, so where's the string?
If you could provide a string that needs conversion, we could try another way ... ...
Question B can easily be solved with a for loop and "unbundle by name". Don't know where you get the idea that a loop would be too slow
Open G library has a lot of VI's to retrieve specific elements from clusters, maybe one of those could help solve the problem.

Data entry type in array of clusters

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for