Dynamic string array

Question

I need to make a dynamic string array.
Deeper explanation:
I am trying to use a FOR loop to send a series of commands to an 8-channel device.  Each channel requires 7 (actually, 1/2 need only 5, the other 1/2 need 7) strings to set them up and the entire sequence needs to be performed 8 times.  I started a test .vi by simply using a constant array of type sting.  I can sequentially pick each string and program my device perfectly.  Now I'd like to do things like add the channel # somewhere in the mix, use variable values based on other controls in my .vi to set the parameters of the channel.
EXAMPLE:
The user sets certain values that determine delays and width for an 8-channel DDG (Digital Delay Generator, to some, a pulse generator).  These values then need to be loaded into the DDG.  The Strings will look something like this:
ULSE1TATE 1
ULSE1:WIDTH 0.009 000           *NOTEpaces behind decimal are for better viewability only
ULSE1ELAY 0.000 000
ULSE1YNC T0
ULSE1:CMODE DUTY
ULSE1COUNTER 1
ULSE1:BCOUNTER 1
ULSE2TATE 1
ULSE2:WIDTH 0.000 300
ULSE2ELAY 0.008 700
ULSE2YNC T0
ULSE2:CMODE NORMAL
So widith and delay params change, the pulse# changes, and whether it's on certain channels decides if the mode is duty or normal and duty comes with the subsequent params pcount and bcount.
help?
PS - I am going to move the state, sync, and cmode to a common, initialize loop run only at program start, but I still need to use width, delay, and (variably) pcount and bcount.
PPS - I am trying to edit post to diable smilies.  Commands should read:"colon, P (or D)" not ,
PPPS - Success, at least for me.  I disabled smilies in my settings, I don't know if that means my posts won't show smilies or if just what I am looking at won't show smilies, any responders let me know how it's showing for you.
Message Edited by Radiance_Jon on 07-16-2007 01:48 PM
Message Edited by Radiance_Jon on 07-16-2007 01:52 PM

Answer 1

smercurio_fc wrote:
Well, in my experience I have found that dealing with errors early on is the best course of action as it leads to less headaches down the road...
Auto-indexing is one of the more powerful features of LabVIEW. If you're familiar with text-based languages it's equivalent to the "foreach" statement. Basically it allows you to wire an array into a for-loop and the size of the array tells LabVIEW how many times the loop needs to execute. Inside the loop LabVIEW peels of each element of the array in order for each iteration of the loop. Looks like this:
My comment regarding not needing the sequence frame was related to using the error cluster since that wire would allow you enforce data dependency like so:
Note that the VISA resource wire does the same thing.
"I got a little aggravated at how NI seemed to handle the loops in those two frames concurrently".  That's because LabVIEW is a data-flow language, and not a sequenced language like C or VB. In fact, that's one of the things that makes LabVIEW so powerful.
Message Edited by smercurio_fc on 07-16-2007 04:48 PM
MAN!  I KNEW that!!!!  GGRRRRR!!!  That makes sense.  Actually that's WHY I connected the error lines in the first place was to aide in flow control.  OH!!!  Still getting used to LabVIEW. 
But I still have a question related to flow control.  Check out the pic below.  LabVIEW runs everything in a seemingly random order... well at least where it STARTS each chain of data.  It obviously starts with the static constants or the earliest data in each chain, but I can't figure out how in the world it's deciding WHICH chain to start first.  It kind of seems to go with the lower right and work it's way to top-left, but it doesn't exactly do that either.  I dunno if it's worth you answering this concern or not, but if you got one for me I'd be much obliged. 
I should take a LabVIEW class!  Yeah right, as if they'd let me... R&D means I won't need it tomorrow ;( which stinks cause I'm liking LabVIEW the more I learn it.  (I was not fond of it in the beginning, but that was my stubborness). 
thanks again so much for all your help!!!!
Also, I am using all those strings to make my display appear as I want it to... I wonder if there is another way?  I am aware of system labels, but I like the look of the recessed, grayed control boxes better.
Message Edited by Radiance_Jon on 07-16-2007 05:06 PM