Method and apparatus for providing stricter data type capabilities in a graphical data flow diagram

• US 5,821,934 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 10/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Shah, Darshan K., Kodosky, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, Parshotam S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coulter, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US08/474,307
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 395/159, 395/348, 395/349, 395/350, 395/351
• US Class Current: 715/763
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31912 Tester/user interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3636 by tracing the execution of the program
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3664 Environments for testing or debugging software
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/965 for process control and configuration

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing stricter data types, and stricter data type checking, in a data flow diagram. For numeric data types, a unit data type is associated with the data type. Therefore, if a user desires to change the units from one compatible type to another, such as feet to meters, this can be done without recompilation. Unit type checking is also provided, whereby, as a block diagram is created, the block diagram editor continually checks each node or function for impermissible data unit operations. This provides a more powerful debugging environment than that previously known in the art. Polymorphic unit capabilities are also provided whereby a virtual instrument can perform calculations regardless of unit but also has unit type checking capabilities. A stricter data type referred to as the enumerated data type is also included which is a variation of an integer numeric data type that includes an enumerated list of mnemonics. Enumeration type checking is provided to prevent invalid accesses.

Claims

1. A method for providing unit primitives in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen and means for creating the data flow diagram, comprising the steps of:

displaying on the screen a first node icon referencing a first control means that generates first data having units of measure of a first type;

displaying on the screen a change unit node icon which includes a first input receiving said first data and a second input receiving unit data, said unit data representing units of measure of a second type;

wherein said change unit icon receives said first data having units of measure of said first type and said unit data and outputs said first data having units of measure of said second type.

2. A method for providing unit primitives in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen and means for creating the data flow diagram, comprising the steps of:

displaying on the screen a first node icon that generates first data having units of measure of a first type;

displaying on the screen a cast unit node icon which includes a first input receiving said first data, wherein said cast unit node icon is operable to receive data having units of measure and output said received data having no units of measure;

wherein said cast unit node icon receives said first data having units of measure of said first type and outputs said first data having no units of measure.

3. A method of providing unit primitives in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen and means for creating the data flow diagram, comprising the steps of:

displaying on the screen a first node icon that generates first data having no units of measure;

displaying on the screen a cast unit node icon which includes a first input receiving said first data and a second input receiving unit data, said unit data representing units of measure of a first type, wherein said cast unit node icon is operable to receive data having no units of measure and receive unit data and output said received data having units of measure according to said unit data;

wherein said cast unit node icon receives said first data having no associated units of measure and receives said unit data representing units of measure of a first type and outputs said first data having units of measure of said first type.

4. A method for providing polymorphic unit capabilities in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen and means for creating the data flow diagram, comprising:

displaying on the screen at least a portion of a first data flow diagram;

connecting inputs of a polymorphic data flow diagram having one or more polymorphic inputs and one or more polymorphic outputs to said first data flow diagram portion, wherein said polymorphic data flow diagram performs operations regardless of input units of measure;

creating a matrix of input equations for said polymorphic inputs;

solving said equations; and

generating unit information for said one or more polymorphic outputs using said solved equations.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

assigning variables to said one or more polymorphic inputs after said step of connecting;

wherein said step of solving said equations includes obtaining units of measure for said variables; and

wherein said step of generating said unit information uses said obtained units of measure for said variables.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising

connecting said polymorphic outputs to a first node in said portion of said first data flow diagram;

and

propagating said unit information from said one or more polymorphic outputs to said first node after said step of generating unit information.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of generating unit information comprises generating a type descriptor.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

determining if said equations can be solved after said step of creating said matrix of input equations and prior to said step of solving said equations; and

indicating an error if said equations cannot be solved.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of error indicating comprises breaking connections to said polymorphic inputs of said polymorphic data flow diagram.

10. A method for providing enumerated data types in a graphical data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen and means for creating the data flow diagram, comprising the steps of:

storing in the computer system a plurality of data elements having an enumerated data type wherein said enumerated data type comprises integer numbers corresponding to said plurality of data elements, wherein said integer numbers are ordered and said integer numbers correspond to said data elements, and wherein said enumerated data type further includes character strings corresponding to said plurality of data elements;

displaying on the screen a first node icon having a plurality of inputs for receiving said plurality of data elements, wherein said first node icon performs a first function;

displaying on the screen one or more of said character strings referencing one or more of said plurality of data elements;

assembling on the screen the data flow diagram including said first node icon and said one or more of said character strings, wherein said step of assembling comprises placing and connecting one or more node icons on the video screen including said first node icon, wherein said step of assembling further comprises connecting said one or more of said character strings to one or more of said plurality of inputs of said first node icon;

wherein when said data flow diagram is executed, said first plurality of data elements are provided to said first node icon.

11. A method for providing enumeration data type checking in a graphical data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen and means for creating the data flow diagram, comprising the steps of:

storing in the computer system a plurality of data elements having an enumerated data type, wherein said enumerated data type comprises integer numbers corresponding to said plurality of data elements, wherein said integer numbers are ordered and said integer numbers correspond to said data elements, and wherein said enumerated data type further includes character strings corresponding to said plurality of data elements;

displaying on the screen a node icon having a plurality of inputs for receiving a plurality of data elements;

connecting said plurality of data elements to said plurality of inputs of said node icon;

determining if said enumerated data types of said plurality of data elements match with said plurality of inputs of said node icon; and

indicating an error to the user if said enumerated data types do not match with said plurality of inputs of said node icon.

12. A method for providing polymorphic unit capabilities in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen and means for creating the data flow diagram, comprising the steps of:

displaying on the screen at least a portion of a first data flow diagram;

displaying on the screen a polymorphic data flow diagram having one or more polymorphic inputs and one or more polymorphic outputs, wherein said polymorphic data flow diagram performs operations on input data regardless of input units of measure of said input data;

assigning one or more variables to said one or more polymorphic inputs of said polymorphic data flow diagram, wherein said one or more variables comprise unit of measure variables for said one or more polymorphic inputs;

connecting said one or more polymorphic inputs of said polymorphic data flow diagram to said first data flow diagram portion;

executing said portion of said first data flow diagram and said polymorphic data flow diagram, wherein said step of executing comprises;

said portion of said first data flow diagram generating data having units of measure, wherein said data having units of measure is provided to said one or more polymorphic inputs of said polymorphic data flow diagram;

said polymorphic data flow diagram performing operations on said data;

said polymorphic data flow diagram manipulating said one or more unit of measure variables in response to said step of performing operations on said data; and

generating unit information for said one or more polymorphic outputs, wherein said step of generating uses said manipulating unit of measure variables.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of manipulating said one or more unit of measure variables comprises:

creating a matrix of input equations for said polymorphic inputs; and

solving said equations;

wherein said step of generating comprises generating unit information for said one or more polymorphic outputs using said solved equations.

14. A method of providing enumerated data type capabilities to a conditional structure in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen and means for creating the data flow diagram, comprising the steps of:

displaying on the screen a conditional structure including a selector input and one or more case frames, wherein each of said one or more case frames comprises an icon including one or more nodes, wherein nodes of one of said one or more case frames are executed depending on said selector input;

displaying on the screen an enumeration data type icon referencing one or more character strings corresponding to said one or more case frames;

connecting said enumeration data type icon to said selector input of said conditional structure;

wherein when a case frame of said conditional structure is selected said case frame displays said character string corresponding to said case frame.

15. A computer readable storage media which stores program instructions for providing unit primitives in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen, wherein the program instructions implement:

displaying on the screen a first node icon that generates first data having units of measure of a first type;

displaying on the screen a change unit node icon which includes a first input receiving said first data and a second input receiving unit data, said unit data representing units of measure of a second type;

wherein said change unit icon receives said first data having units of measure of said first type and said unit data and outputs said first data having units of measure of said second type.

16. A computer readable storage media which stores program instructions for providing unit primitives in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen, wherein the program instructions implement:

displaying on the screen a first node icon that generates first data having units of measure of a first type;

displaying on the screen a cast unit node icon which includes a first input receiving said first data, wherein said cast unit node icon is operable to receive data having units of measure and output data having no units of measure;

wherein said cast unit node icon receives said first data having units of measure of said first type and outputs said first data having no units of measure.

17. A computer readable storage media which stores program instructions for providing unit primitives in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen, wherein the program instructions implement:

displaying on the screen a first node icon that generates first data having no units of measure;

displaying on the screen a cast unit node icon which includes a first input receiving said first data and a second input receiving unit data, said unit data representing units of measure of a first type, wherein said cast unit node icon is operable to receive data having no units of measure and receive unit data and output said received data having units of measure according to said unit data;

wherein said cast unit node icon receives said first data having no associated units of measure and receives said unit data representing units of measure of a first type and outputs said first data having units of measure of said first type.

18. A computer readable storage media which stores program instructions for providing polymorphic unit capabilities in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen, wherein the program instructions implement:

displaying on the screen at least a portion of a first data flow diagram;

connecting inputs of a polymorphic data flow diagram having one or more polymorphic inputs and one or more polymorphic outputs to said first data flow diagram portion, wherein said polymorphic data flow diagram performs operations regardless of input units of measure;

creating a matrix of input equations for said polymorphic inputs;

solving said equations; and

generating unit information for said one or more polymorphic outputs using said solved equations.

19. The computer readable storage media of claim 18, wherein the program instructions further implement:

assigning variables to said one or more polymorphic inputs after said connecting;

wherein said solving said equations includes obtaining units of measure for said variables; and

wherein said generating said unit information uses said obtained units of measure for said variables.

20. The computer readable storage media of claim 18, wherein the program instructions further implement:

connecting said polymorphic outputs to a first node in said portion of said first data flow diagram; and

propagating said unit information from said one or more polymorphic outputs to said first node after said generating unit information.

21. The computer readable storage media of claim 18, wherein said generating unit information comprises generating a type descriptor.

22. The computer readable storage media of claim 18, wherein the program instructions further implement:

determining if said equations can be solved after said creating said matrix of input equations and prior to said solving said equations; and

indicating an error if said equations cannot be solved.

23. The computer readable storage media of claim 18, wherein said error indicating comprises breaking connections to said polymorphic inputs of said polymorphic data flow diagram.

24. A computer readable storage media which stores program instructions for providing enumerated data types in a graphical data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen, wherein the program instructions implement:

storing in the computer system a plurality of data elements having an enumerated data type, wherein said enumerated data type comprises integer numbers corresponding to said plurality of data elements, wherein said integer numbers are ordered and said integer numbers correspond to said data elements, and wherein said enumerated data type further includes character strings corresponding to said plurality of data elements;

displaying on the screen a first node icon having a plurality of inputs for receiving said plurality of data elements, wherein said first node icon performs a first function;

displaying on the screen one or more of said character strings referencing one or more of said plurality of data elements;

assembling on the screen the data flow diagram including said first node icon and said one or more of said character strings, wherein said assembling comprises placing and connecting one or more node icons on the video screen including said first node icon, wherein said assembling further comprises connecting said one or more of said character strings to one or more of said plurality of inputs of said first node icon;

wherein when said data flow diagram is executed, said first plurality of data elements are provided to said first node icon.

25. A computer readable storage media which stores program instructions for providing enumeration data type checking in a graphical data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen, wherein the program instructions implement:

storing in the computer system a plurality of data elements having an enumerated data type, wherein said enumerated data type comprises integer numbers corresponding to said plurality of data elements, wherein said integer numbers are ordered and said integer numbers correspond to said data elements, and wherein said enumerated data type further includes character strings corresponding to said plurality of data elements;

displaying on the screen a node icon having a plurality of inputs for receiving a plurality of data elements;

connecting said plurality of data elements to said plurality of inputs of said node icon;

determining if said enumerated data types of said plurality of data elements match with said plurality of inputs of said node icon; and

indicating an error to the user if said enumerated data types do not match with said plurality of inputs of said node icon.

26. A computer readable storage media which stores program instructions for providing polymorphic unit capabilities in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen, wherein the program instructions implement:

displaying on the screen at least a portion of a first data flow diagram;

displaying on the screen a polymorphic data flow diagram having one or more polymorphic inputs and one or more polymorphic outputs, wherein said polymorphic data flow diagram performs operations on input data regardless of input units of measure of said input data;

assigning one or more variables to said one or more polymorphic inputs of said polymorphic data flow diagram, wherein said one or more variables comprise unit of measure variables for said one or more polymorphic inputs;

connecting said one or more polymorphic inputs of said polymorphic data flow diagram to said first data flow diagram portion;

executing said portion of said first data flow diagram and said polymorphic data flow diagram, wherein said executing comprises;

said portion of said first data flow diagram generating data having units of measure, wherein said data having units of measure is provided to said one or more polymorphic inputs of said polymorphic data flow diagram;

said polymorphic data flow diagram performing operations on said data;

said polymorphic data flow diagram manipulating said one or more unit of measure variables in response to said performing operations on said data; and

generating unit information for said one or more polymorphic outputs, wherein said generating uses said manipulated unit of measure variables.

27. The computer readable storage media of claim 26, wherein said manipulating said one or more unit of measure variables comprises:

creating a matrix of input equations for said polymorphic inputs; and

solving said equations;

wherein said generating comprises generating unit information for said one or more polymorphic outputs using said solved equations.

28. A computer readable storage media which stores program instructions of providing enumerated data type capabilities to a conditional structure in a data flow diagram in a computer system having a video screen, wherein the program instructions implement:

displaying on the screen a conditional structure including a selector input and one or more case frames, wherein each of said one or more case frames comprises an icon including one or more nodes, wherein nodes of one of said one or more case frames are executed depending on said selector input;

displaying on the screen an enumeration data type icon referencing one or more character strings corresponding to said one or more case frames;

connecting said enumeration data type icon to said selector input of said conditional structure;

wherein when a case frame of said conditional structure is selected said case frame displays said character string corresponding to said case frame.