ME 21 Chapter 1+2

Pull down menu

Menu accessed from a menu bar. Pull-down menu options are usually general in nature.

tool

A special operating mode of the mouse cursor.

Shortcut menu

Menu accessed by right-clicking, usually on an object. Menu options pertain to that object specifically.

Palette

Menu of pictures that represent possible options.

Wiring tool

Tool used to define data paths between source and sink terminals.

toolbar

Bar containing command buttons to run and debug VIs.

Wire

Data path between nodes.

Nodes

Execution elements of a block diagram consisting of functions, structures, and subVIs.

Numeric Controls and Indicators

Front panel objects used to manipulate and display numeric data.

Boolean Controls and Indicators

Front panel objects used to manipulate and display or input and output Boolean (True or False) data.

String controls and indicators

Front panel objects used to manipulate and display or input and output text.

G-programming language

Graphical programming language used in LabVIEW.

icon

Graphical representation of a node on a block diagram.

LABview

Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench. It is a powerful and flexible instrumentation and analysis software development application.

Functions palette

Palette containing block diagram structures, constants, and VIs.

Controls palette

Palette containing front panel controls and indicators.

tools palette

Palette containing tools you can use to edit and debug front panel and block diagram objects.

Terminals

Part of the VI or function node through which data passes to and from the node. The terminals provide connection to the inputs and outputs of the VI or function node.

Block Diagram

Pictorial representation of a program or algorithm. The block diagram, which consists of executable icons called nodes and wires that carry data between the nodes, is the source code for the VI.

Virtual instrument(VI)

Program in LabVIEW; so-called because it models the appearance and function of a physical instrument.

Data flow programming

Programming system consisting of executable nodes in which nodes execute only when they have received all required input data and produce output automatically when they have executed.

Modular Programming

Programming that uses interchangeable computer routines.

Icon pane

Region in the upper right corner of the front panel and block diagram that displays the VI icon.

Connector pane

Region in the upper right corner of the front panel that displays the VI terminal pattern. It underlies the icon pane.

Tip Strips

Small yellow text banners that identify the terminal name and make it easier to identify function and node terminals for wiring.

Context Help Window

Special window that displays the names and locations of the terminals for a function or subVI, the description of controls and indicators, the values of universal constants, and descriptions and data types of control attributes. The window also accesses the LabVIEW Help.

Input terminals

Terminals that absorb data. Sometimes called destination terminals.

Output terminals

Terminals that emit data. Sometimes called source terminals.

Front panel

The interactive interface of a VI. Modeled from the front panel of physical instruments, it is composed of switches, slides, meters, graphs, charts, gauges, LEDs, and other controls and indicators.

Right-click

To call up a special menu by clicking an object with the right mouse button (on Windows platforms) or with the command key and the mouse button (on Macintosh platforms).

Hierarchical menus

menu items that expand into submenus