Automating LabVIEW Development with the Scripting Springboard

[NJKirchner]

One of the great things about scripting is how darn easy it is to automate some tedious tasks in the process of developing code.

Typically the tasks we want to accomplish deal with multiple objects.

• Creating references to multiple selected controls
• Turning the text on multiple controls to bold
• Getting the description of multiple selected subVIs

But where do you start?

The Fewest Possible Assumptions.

It's the case of Ockham's razor.

You make a few simple, but broad sweeping, assumptions that allow you to, very quickly, make very functional scripting code.

Example:

You want to change the text style of a bunch of string controls to bold.

Assumption, only string controls are selected on the front panel

Getting started with the Scripting Springboard

VIDEO: http://screencast.com/t/0EeTrMCHA

How and why our assumptions work

VIDEO: http://screencast.com/t/uUdxLrqj

A more complex/powerful example

VIDEO: http://screencast.com/t/TPhnxfIy5

In the above videos, you'll see the Scripting Springboard (Attachment:Scripting.vit) and how easy it is to create an extension to your LV development that utilizes scripting.

Where to go from here?

Download the Scripting.vit and keep it in a handy place.

When you're in LabVIEW and you run into an action that is taking you too long to do and you'll need to do over and over again, use the springboard and get over that wall quickly.

BDMinion in action

VIDEO: http://screencast.com/t/EwrLYzeFEsJ