ring with string value

[jspaarg]

I would like to know if there is a way to make a single control (either a ring or otherwise) where a string that is displayed to the user has a string as its output value.

For instance, I have a power laser with a serial communication port and the command to turn on the laser diodes is LASER1;

I want to display the string "DIODES ON" to the user, but have the control provide the value "LASER1;" when selected.

This is easy to do with two controls, for example, I can have an enum with the user display strings and a matching enum with the laser command strings, but then I have to ensure that any change affects both controls.

If it is a single control, it is less likely to have an error when a change is made.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I am using LabView 2009

[Harold_Timmis]

you could use the property node string[]

[Broken_Arrow]

Many ways to do this, but the most direct seems to just use a button, whose Boolean Text (when on) reads "DIODES ON" and sends the "LASER1;" command via a Select function, or wire it to a case that sends the command.

[jspaarg]

Perhaps I should have been more clear.

There are approximately 20 commands to be sent to the laser from which the user can select.

Each string to the user has a corresponding command.

Since this is programmatic for automatic operation; as well as single commands for manual operation, I would like to have a single control with 20 strings and corresponding commands.

For example:

User                 Laser

Diodes On         Laser1;

Diodes Off         Laser;

Mode Current    Opmode0;

Mode Power      Opmode1;

Gate Open        Gate1;

Gate Closed      Gate0;

A single button or a caption string is not adequate.

[Cory_K]

Wire the ring control to a case structure.

Then you can label each case accordingly (where it normally says "true", "false", etc).

You can create a case for each option:
"user"

"diodes on"

 ... etc

Then put a string constant in each case and pass the constant out of the case structure.

[Darin.K · Accepted solution]

Ever hear of the Combo Box?  Could be a winner, just uncheck Values Match Items.