front panel activity before running executable

[BartvStC]

Before running the executable the user needs to perform some front panel selections and fill in some data.

Therefor the executable should not run after opening. How do I do that ?

[MikeS81]

Hi BartvStC

i think a better way is, to write your application in this way:

1. application starts

2. the user make his settings

3. the user start the "real" functionality.

I think it is more user friendly.

Mike

Message Edited by MikeS81 on 01-25-2008 08:19 AM

[Pnt]

There are many ways. The usual is the user to press a button after filling the data.

That is because if the user has to fill some text you don't know when he has finished (you said "fill in some data")

So wait for the button to be pressed, with a event structure.

[BartvStC]

You don't expect the executable to function completely different than the vi. Also get I error message 1043 :

property node is not supported with this version. I have Labview Run-Time 6.1, 7.0, 7.1, 8.0.1, 8.2.1, 8.5.0.

[MikeS81]

Hi,

i don´t understand it. Can you show us your vi?

Import is that you use the correct Runtime Engine! With which LabView Version are you developing?

Mike

[johnsold]

The executable is not functioning completely differently from the VI. If you are running a VI in the development environment, the application called LabVIEW is running, the LV runtime engine is running, only your VI may or may not be running.

You don't fill in a URL in your browser before the program runs. The browser may display only a blank window until you give it a URL and tell it you want it to go that site by clicking a button or pressing Enter, but the browser program is running. You don't put data into cells of a spreadsheet when the program is not running. Similarly you do not put data into LV controls when the program is not running.

The previous posts indicated how to make this work in an executable: You have a loop running with the VI in an idle state until the data has been entered and the user tells the program to process the data.

Lynn

[Dennis_Knutson]

The VI and the executable version should behave the same. It is considered bad style for the user to have to hit the run button on the toolbar and in most cases, the tool bar should not even be visible. I would agree with all of the previous recomendations that you should change the way your VI is written.

[BartvStC]

Hi,

I use Labview version 8.2.1. If you open the vi it does not run, which gives you the opportunity to fill in the data in the front panel.

After that you press the run button. Why is that not possible with the application. (.exe) ? 

[BartvStC]

If I develop a vi with Labview 8.2.1, then why are some property nodes not supported with the same version Run Time, i.e. 8.2.1 ? 

[JeffOverton]

The best way to see what your end users will see is to go to File -> VI Properties -> Execution, and check "Run when opened"

This way, when you open the VI, it will already be running (which is the case with an executable, also).  Then, when the VI is running, have your user input the data and press a button.  Have that button trigger an event that starts your VI into its actual operation.

Now it looks professional as well as functional.