v5.0 / 2 of 23 / 01 sep 99 / gvg
* This chapter provides a fast description of the capabilities of VEE by outlining its menu entries.
* VEE's iconic toolbar provides quick access to a set of useful functions.
It resembles the toolbars used on most modern MSWin applications and provides
the following icons:
The user cannot modify this toolbar.
* The "File" menu provides options for saving and loading programs, printing
programs or elements thereof, setting operational preferences, and so on:
* The "Edit" menu allows you to edit your program and set debugging features.
It expands to:
* VEE 4.0 added a new View menu to support its enhanced program-development
environment:
* VEE 3.2 consolidated debugging functions into a "Debug" menu. It was
modified in VEE 4.0 and now contains the following entries:
* The "Flow" menu allows you to select objects for controlling program flow:
* The "Device" menu allows execution of a variety of VEE objects. In VEE 5.0,
it was extended to allow incorporation of Microsoft ActiveX Automation (AxA)
links and third-party ActiveX Controls (AxC).
The "Virtual Source" entry expands to a set of function-generator (source)
objects:
* The "I/O" menu allows you to control instrument and file I/O:
* The data menu allows you to create various user input and data-constant
objects, as well as objects to build, access, and unbuild various data types:
* The "Display" menu provides various display-output devices:
* The "Window" menu is typical of a Windows multi-document interface and
simply allows control of the user interface:
* The "Help" menu is mostly straightforward:
[2.1] VEE ICONIC TOOLBAR
[2.2] VEE FILE MENU
[2.3] VEE EDIT MENU
[2.4] VEE VIEW MENU
[2.5] VEE DEBUG MENU
[2.6] VEE FLOW MENU
[2.7] VEE DEVICE MENU
[2.8] VEE I/O MENU
[2.9] VEE DATA MENU
[2.10] VEE DISPLAY MENU
[2.11] VEE WINDOW MENU
[2.12] VEE HELP MENU
[2.1] VEE ICONIC TOOLBAR
[2.2] VEE FILE MENU
| File Edit View Debug
+-------------------------------+-
| New Ctrl+N |
| Open... Ctrl+O |
| Merge... | Merges program or objects to program.
| Merge Library... | Merges user function library to program.
+-------------------------------+
| Save Ctrl+S |
| Save As... Ctrl+W |
| Save Objects... |
| Save Secured Runtime Version |
| Save Documentation... | Saves a file listing program elements.
+-------------------------------+
| Edit Default Preferences... |
+-------------------------------+
| Print Screen... |
| Print Program... | Dumps entire program to printer or file.
| Print Objects... | Dumps selected objects a page at a time.
| Print Setup... | Set up printer (PC only).
+-------------------------------+
| C:\Work\MyProg1.vee | Queue of previously-accessed programs.
| C:\Work\MyProg2.vee |
| C:\Work\MyProg3.vee |
+-------------------------------+
| Exit Ctrl+E |
+-------------------------------+
[2.3] VEE EDIT MENU
Edit View Debug Flow
-+----------------------------+-
| Cut Ctrl+X | Cuts an object or objects from program.
| Copy Ctrl+C | Copies an object or objects.
| Paste Ctrl+V | Inserts object or objects to program.
| Select All Ctrl+A | Select all objects in current window.
+----------------------------+
| Delete Line Shift+Ctrl+LB |
| Clean Up Lines |
+----------------------------+
| Find... Ctrl+F |
| Find Results... Ctrl+R |
+----------------------------+
| Add To Panel | Adds selected objects to panel view.
| Align -->| Align objects in work area.
+----------------------------+
| Create UserObject... | Bundles selected objects to UserObject.
| Create UserFunction... | Bundles selected objects to UserFunction.
| Edit UserFunction ... | Brings up list for editing UserFunction.
+----------------------------+
The "Align" entry expands to a submenu that allows you to select how the
alignment occurs:
+-----------------------+
| Middles |
| Tops |
| Bottoms |
+-----------------------+
| Centers |
| Lefts |
| Rights |
+-----------------------+
| Space Equally |
| Undo Last Arrangement |
+-----------------------+
Note that "LB" means left (main) mouse button. This menu will pop up
anywhere in the workspace if you click the right (secondary) mouse button.
[2.4] VEE VIEW MENU
View Debug Flow
-+-------------------+-
| Variables... | Display list of variables for examination.
| Last Error | Display last error message that occurred.
+-------------------+
| Main Ctrl+M | Select main program panel in MDI interface.
| Execution Window |
+-------------------+
| *Program Explorer | Show/hide Program Explorer tree.
| Call Stack | Bring up UserFunction stack tracer.
| Profiler | Bring up program execution profiler (see below).
+-------------------+
| *Toolbar | Show/hide toolbar at top of environment.
| *Status Bar | Show/hide status bar at bottom of environment.
+-------------------+
The Find utility allows you to search for text items through the entire
program and then jump to the context it occurs in. The utility has the
appearance:
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Find [x]|
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Find: [ ] |
| Search in: [ Entire Program ][Adv] |
| +-----------------------------+-----------------------------+ |
| | General | Advanced | |
| | +-----------------------------+ |
| | +- Show occurrences that -+ | [Find] |
| | | | | |
| | [ ] Match case | <*> Contain search text | | [Stop] |
| | [ ] Find all matches ... | < > Exactly match text | | |
| | [x] Search nested UserObjects | < > Begin with text | | [Help] |
| | | < > End with text | | |
| | +-------------------------+ | |
| +-----------------------------------------------------------+ |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
The "Advanced" menu for the Find allows you to target specific classes of
objects to search through:
+----------------------------------------------+
| Select Object Type(s) [x]|
+--------------------------------------------+-+
|[x] Accumulator |^|
|[x] Allocate Array | |
|[x] Alphanumeric | |
|[x] Beep | |
|[x] Break | |
|[x] Build Arb Waveform | |
|[x] Build Complex | |
|[x] Build Record | |
|[x] Build Spectrum |v|
+--------------------------------------------+-+
| [ OK ] [ Cancel ] [Select All] [Clear All] |
+----------------------------------------------+
The Profiler gives a list of User Ojects and User Functions in a program to
allow you to get the proportion of execution time spent in each:
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Profiler [x]|
+--------------+--------------+---------+-----------+-------------------+
| Name | # Executions | % Time | Time(sec) | |
+--------------+--------------+---------+-----------+ [Start Profiling] |
| U_SetScales | [ Refresh ] |
| Main | [ Clear ] |
| U_Init | |
| U_Close | |
| U_GetData | [ Save ] |
| U_Crunch | [ Options... ] |
| | [ Help ] |
+---------------------------------------------------+-------------------+
[2.5] VEE DEBUG MENU
Debug Flow Device
--+------------------------+-----
| Run/Resume Ctrl+G |
| Pause Ctrl+C |
| Stop |
| Step Into Ctrl+T |
| Step Over |
| Step Out |
+------------------------+
| Toggle Breakpoints |
| Clear All Breakpoints |
| Activate Breakpoints |
+------------------------+
| Show Data Flow | Observe data flowing over lines.
| Show Execution Flow | Observe sequencing of objects.
+------------------------+
| Line Probe Shift+LB | Inspect contents of a line.
| Object Probe Shilf+LB | Check object connections.
+------------------------+
As is apparent, this in general echoes the iconic toolbar.
[2.6] VEE FLOW MENU
Flow Device I/O Data
-+-----------------------+-
| Start |
| If/Then/Else |
| Conditional ->|
| Repeat ->|
+-----------------------+
| Junction |
| Do |
| Gate |
| Sample & Hold |
| Confirm (OK) |
| Delay |
+-----------------------+
| Exit Thread |
| Exit UserObject |
| Stop | Stops entire program.
+-----------------------+
| Raise Error |
+-----------------------+
The "Conditional" entry expands to a set of conditional-execution objects:
+-------------+
| If A == B | Equal to.
| If A ~= B | Almost equal to.
| If A != B | Not equal to.
| If A < B | Less than.
| If A > B | Greater than.
| If A <= B | Less than or equal to.
| If A >= B | Greater than or equal to.
+-------------+
The "Repeat" entry expands to a set of loop-control objects:
+-----------------+
| For Count | Loops a given number of times.
| For Range | Loops from one value to another by stepsize.
| For Log Range | Loops from one value to another in log steps.
| Until Break | Loops until "break" object is executed.
| On Cycle | Loops every given number of seconds.
+-----------------+
| Next | Forces skip of loop iteration.
| Break | Breaks out of loop.
+-----------------+
[2.7] VEE DEVICE MENU
Device I/O Data
-+-------------------------------+-
| Formula |
| Math & Functions | Math & Functions dialogue (see below).
| UserObject | Creates a user object.
+-------------------------------+
| UserFunction |
| Call |
| Import Library |
| Delete Library |
+-------------------------------+
| Sequencer |
| Virtual Source >| Function generators (see below).
| Regression | Curve-fitting.
+-------------------------------+
| Counter | Counts number of inputs.
| Accumulator | Accumulates running sum of inputs.
| Timer | Allows timing of two events.
+-------------------------------+
| Shift Register | Stores inputs in a "queue".
| DeMultiplexer | Sorts one input to multiple outputs.
| Comparator |
+-------------------------------+
| ActiveX Automation References | Reference AxA apps (see below).
+-------------------------------+
| ActiveX Control References | Reference AxCs (see below).
| ActiveX Controls >| Get menu of AxCs.
+-------------------------------+
The "Math & Functions" dialogue box provides a neat way of consolidating all
the earlier clutter of the math ops in VEE (as well as integrates handling of
UserFunctions in the program):
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Select Function [x]|
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Type Category Name |
| +-------------------------+ +------------------+ +---------------+ |
| | Operators | | <All> | | concat | |
| | Built-in Functions | | Array | | init | |
| | Local User Functions | | Bessel | | product | |
| | Imported User Functions | | Bitwise | | rotate | |
| | Compiled Functions | | Calculus | | sort | |
| | | | Complex Parts | | sum | |
| | | | Data Filtering | | totSize | |
| +-------------------------+ +------------------+ +---------------+ |
| concat(x,y) |
| |
| [ Returns concatenated containers. ] |
| |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| [ OK ] [ Cancel ] [ Help ] |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Details of VEE math functions will be provided in the next chapter.
+----------------------+
| Function Generator |
| Pulse Generator |
| Noise Generator |
+----------------------+
The "ActiveX Automation References" gives the following dialogue box,
allowing access to other PC applications via AxA:
+----------------------------------------------------------+
| ActiveX Automation References |
+----------------------------------------------------------+
| Registered Automation Servers: |
| +----------------------------------------+ |
| |[ ] API Declaration Loader | [ OK ] |
| |[ ] Marquee Control Library | [ Cancel ] |
| |[ ] Microsoft ActiveX Plugin | |
| |[*] Microsoft Excel 8.0 Object Library | [ Browse... ] |
| |[ ] Microsoft Graph 8.0 Object Library | |
| |[ ] Microsoft Internet Controls | |
| |[ ] Microsoft Map | |
| |[ ] Microsoft Repository | [ Help ] |
| +----------------------------------------+ |
| |
| +- Microsoft Excel 8.0 Object Library -----------------+ |
| | Location: C:\Program Files\MS Office\Excel 8.0 | |
| +------------------------------------------------------+ |
+----------------------------------------------------------+
The "ActiveX Control References" entry similarly leads to:
+----------------------------------------------------------+
| ActiveX Control References |
+----------------------------------------------------------+
| Registered Controls: |
| +----------------------------------------+ |
| |[ ] Acrobat Control For ActiveX | [ OK ] |
| |[ ] Callable VEE OLE Control Module | [ Cancel ] |
| |[ ] Microsoft ActiveX Plugin | |
| |[ ] Microsoft Calendar Control | [ Browse... ] |
| |[ ] Microsoft Comm Control | |
| |[ ] Microsoft Common Dialog Control | |
| |[ ] Microsoft HTML Intrinsic Controls | |
| |[ ] Microsoft Internet Transfer Control | [ Help ] |
| +----------------------------------------+ |
| |
| +- Acrobat Control For ActiveX ------------------------+ |
| | Location: C:\Acrobat\ActiveX\PDF.OCX | |
| +------------------------------------------------------+ |
+----------------------------------------------------------+
This allows VEE to recognize ActiveX Controls provided on the host PC. Once
activated, an AxC can be obtained for use off the "ActiveX Controls" menu.
[2.8] VEE I/O MENU
Device I/O Data Math
-+----------------------------+-
| Instrument Manager... | Brings up Instrument Manager dialogue.
| Advanced I/O >| Selects advanced I/O options (see below).
| Bus I/O Monitor | Tracks interface traffic.
+----------------------------+
| To >| Data output transaction objects (see below).
| From >| Data input transaction objects (see below).
| To/From Named Pipe (UNIX) | Named pipe transfers (for UNIX/tm).
| To/From Socket | LAN socket transfers.
| To/From DDE (PC) | DDE object (for PC).
| HP BASIC/UX (UNIX) >| Objects to deal with Rocky Mountain BASIC.
| Execute Program (UNIX) | Executes UNIX/tm program.
| Execute Program (PC) | Executes PC program.
+----------------------------+
| Print Screen | Prints display.
+----------------------------+
The "Advanced I/O" entry expands to:
+-------------------------+
| Interface Operation | Perform low-level interface operation.
| Device Event | Capture device event in program.
| Interface Event | Capture interface event in program.
| Multidevice Direct I/O | Communicate with multiple devices.
+-------------------------+
The "To" entry provides data output capabilities:
+----------------+
| File |
| DataSet |
+----------------+
| Printer |
| String |
+----------------+
| StdOut (UNIX) | Standard output.
| StdErr (UNIX) | Standard error.
+----------------+
The "From" entry provides data input capabilities:
+---------------+
| File |
| DataSet |
+---------------+
| String |
+---------------+
| StdIn (UNIX) | Standard input.
+---------------+
The "HP BASIC/UX (UNIX)" entry provides two objects for controlling RMB:
+--------------------------------+
| Initialize HP BASIC/UX (UNIX) |
| To/From HP BASIC/UX (UNIX) |
+--------------------------------+
[2.9] VEE DATA MENU
Data Math AdvMath
-+---------------------+-
| Selection Control >| List objects (see below).
| Toggle Control >| Toggles (see below).
| Dialog Box >| Dialog box (see below).
+---------------------+
| Continuous >| Sliders and knobs (see below).
| Constant >| Various constant types (see below).
| Variables >| Variables (see below).
+---------------------+
| Build Data >| Construct complex data types (see below).
| UnBuild Data >| Extract parts of complex data types (see below).
| Allocate Array >| Create arrays (see below).
| Access Array >| Accesses arrays (see below).
| Access Record >| Accesses records (see below).
+---------------------+
| Concatenator | Concatenates two or more arrays.
| Sliding Collector | Collects data into arrays of predefined size.
| Collector | Collects data into arrays of arbitrary size.
+---------------------+
The "Selection Control" entry expands to various list objects, all basically
the same object, but with different appearances:
+-----------------+
| Radio Buttons | Provides a set of buttons with labels.
| Cyclic Buttons | Provides a single label that cycles when clicked.
| List | Simple list.
| Drop-Down List | List that can be pulled down with a mouse.
| Pop-Up List | List that "pops up" on a mouse click.
| Slider List | List with items selected by a slider bar.
+-----------------+
The "Toggle Control" entry expands to various toggle-button objects, again,
all basically the same object but with different appearances:
+--------------------+
| Button |
| Check Box |
| Vertical Paddle |
| Horizontal Paddle |
| Vertical Rocker |
| Horizontal Rocker |
| Vertical Slide |
| Horizontal Slide |
+--------------------+
The "Dialog Box" entry expands to a list of entries for various pop-up dialog
input objects:
+-----------------------+
| Text Input |
| Integer Input |
| Real Input |
+-----------------------+
| Message Box |
| List Box |
| File Name Selection |
+-----------------------+
The "Continuous" entry expands to:
+----------------+
| Integer Slider |
| Real Slider |
| Integer Knob |
| Real Knob |
+----------------+
The "Constant" entry expands to:
+----------------+
| Text |
+----------------+
| Integer |
| Real |
+----------------+
| Coord | X-Y coordinate constant.
| Complex | Real-imaginary complex constant.
| PComplex | Polar complex constant.
+----------------+
| Date/Time |
+----------------+
| Record |
+----------------+
The "Variables" entry expands to:
+-------------------+
| Set Variable | Sets variable value.
| Get Variable | Gets variable value.
| Delete Variable | Deletes variable.
| Declare Variable | Declare variable as local/global.
+-------------------+
The "Build Data" entry allows building various data types:
+----------------+
| Coord |
| Complex |
| PComplex |
+----------------+
| Waveform |
| Arb Waveform |
| Spectrum |
+----------------+
| Record |
+----------------+
The "UnBuild Data" entry allows extracting elements of various data types:
+----------------+
| Coord |
| Complex |
| PComplex |
+----------------+
| Waveform |
| Spectrum |
+----------------+
| Record |
+----------------+
The "Allocate Array" entry allows creating arrays of various types:
+----------------+
| Text |
+----------------+
| Integer |
| Real |
+----------------+
| Coord |
| Complex |
| PComplex |
+----------------+
The "Access Array" entry allows you to set values or array mappings (size of
array dimensions) and read them back:
+----------------+
| Set Values |
| Get Values |
+----------------+
| Set Mappings |
| Get Mappings |
+----------------+
The "Access Record" entry allows you to control elements of a record type:
+----------------+
| Merge Record |
| SubRecord |
| Set Field |
| Get Field |
+----------------+
[2.10] VEE DISPLAY MENU
Display Help
-+-------------------------+-
| AlphaNumeric | Text output object.
| Logging AlphaNumeric | Scrolling text output object.
| Indicator >| Various indicator objects (see below).
+-------------------------+
| XY Trace |
| Strip Chart |
| Complex Plane |
+-------------------------+
| X vs Y Plot |
| Polar Plot |
+-------------------------+
| Waveform (Time) |
| Spectrum (Freq) >| Spectrum graphical display object (see below).
+-------------------------+
| Picture | Allows display of bitmap.
| Label |
| Beep |
| Note Pad |
+-------------------------+
The "Indicator" menu expands to a list of various indicator objects:
+----------------+
| Meter |
| Thermometer |
| Fill Bar |
| Tank |
| Color Alarm |
+----------------+
The "Spectrum" entry allows you to select various types of spectrum-display
objects:
+-----------------------------+
| Magnitude Spectrum |
| Phase Spectrum |
| Magnitude vs Phase (Polar) |
| Magnitude vs Phase (Smith) |
+-----------------------------+
[2.11] VEE WINDOW MENU
Window
-+-------------------+--
| Cascade |
| Tile Horizontally |
| Tile Vertically |
| Arrange Icons |
+-------------------+
| Minimize All |
| Close All |
+-------------------+
| MyWindow1 | List of existing windows.
| MyWindow2 |
+-------------------+
[2.12] VEE HELP MENU
Help
-+------------------------+-
| Contents and Index |
| Instruments |
| HP VEE On The Web >|
+------------------------+
| Open Example... |
+------------------------+
| About VEE... |
+------------------------+
The "HP VEE On The Web" entry leads to a submenu:
+----------------------+
| Support |
| Product Registration |
| HP VEE Home Page |
+----------------------+
| HP Home Page |
+----------------------+
These go straight to a Web browser and send it (hopefully) to the proper URL.