Specifying timing and triggering functionality in a graphical program using graphical program nodes

• US 6,880,130 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Johnson, Brian, Makowski, Thomas A., Vaidya, Rajesh
• Primary Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US10/179,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20030234802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 715/734, 715/735, 715/763, 715/764, 715/765, 715/771, 715/835, 715/837, 715/841, 715/843, 715/846, 715/967, 717/105, 717/109, 717/114, 717/116, 345/734, 345/735, 345763-765, 345/771, 345/835, 345/837, 345/841, 345/843, 345/846
• US Class Current: 715/763
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/3312 Timing analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/967 Visual or iconic programming

Abstract

System and method for specifying timing or triggering (TT) in a graphical program (GP). A first polymorphic timing or triggering node (PTTN) is displayed in the GP in response to user input. TT type options for the PTTN are presented in response to user input. User input specifying one of the TT type options is received, and a second TT node (TTN) determined in response which corresponds to the specified type, and which provides TT functionality for the graphical program according to the type. The second TTN replaces the first PTTN in the GP, and connects to function nodes in the GP to provide TT functionality in the GP according to the type. The TTN includes a front panel with controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and/or displaying parameters according to the type, and a block diagram graphically representing the implementation of TT functionality according to the type.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for specifying timing in a graphical program, wherein the method for specifying timing operates in a computer including a memory, a display and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a first timing node in the graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the first timing node;

receiving user input specifying a timing type from the plurality of timing type options;

determining a second timing node based on the user input specifying the timing type; and

displaying the second timing node on the display in the graphical program in place of the first timing node, wherein the second timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the timing type.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first timing node is polymorphic.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting the first timing node to one or more function nodes in the graphical program prior to said displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the first timing node, wherein the first timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the one or more function nodes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second timing node is operable to be connected to one or more function nodes in the graphical program to configure timing functionality in the graphical program in accordance with the specified timing type.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving user input to the graphical program connecting the second timing node to one or more function nodes in the graphical program, wherein the second timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the one or more function nodes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second timing node comprises:

a second timing node icon; and

a block diagram, comprising a graphical representation of the implementation of timing configuration in accordance with the specified timing type.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second timing node comprises:

a front panel comprising one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more timing parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the specified timing type.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second timing node comprises:

a second timing node icon; and

program instructions and/or data structures for implementing timing configuration in accordance with the specified timing type.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second timing node comprises:

a second timing node icon; and

a front panel comprising one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more timing parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the specified timing type.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second timing node comprises:

a second timing node icon; and

a graphical user interface comprising one or more controls and/or indicators for enabling a user to set and/or display one or more timing parameters prior to graphical program execution in accordance with the specified timing type.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second timing node comprises one or more of:

a second timing node icon;

a front panel, comprising one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more timing parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the specified timing type; and

a block diagram, comprising a graphical representation of the implementation of timing configuration in accordance with the specified timing type.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

displaying the front panel on the display; and

receiving user input to the front panel specifying a value for at least one of the one or more timing parameters;

wherein the second timing node is operable to configure timing functionality in the graphical program in accordance with the one or more timing parameters.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

displaying the block diagram on the display.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical program is executable to perform a measurement task, and wherein the second timing node is operable to configure timing functionality in the graphical program for performance of the measurement task.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the measurement task comprises one or more of:

a data acquisition task; and

a signal generation task.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying on the display the first timing node in the graphical program comprises:

displaying on the display the first timing node in the graphical program in response to user input specifying the first timing node.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said user input specifying the first timing node comprises:

the user dragging and dropping the first timing node from a palette to the graphical program.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

executing the graphical program to perform a task, wherein the second timing node executes to configure timing functionality in the graphical program for performance of the task.

19. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first timing node has a default timing type;

and

wherein the first timing node comprises one or more of;

a default front panel, comprising one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more timing parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the default timing type; and

a default block diagram, comprising a graphical representation of the implementation of timing configuration in accordance with the default timing type.

20. A computer-implemented method for specifying timing in a first graphical program, wherein the method for specifying timing operates in a computer including a memory, display and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a timing node in the first graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the timing node;

receiving user input specifying a timing type from the plurality of timing type options; and

configuring the timing node according to the timing type, wherein after said configuring the timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the timing type.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said configuring the timing node comprises:

determining a timing graphical program in response to said user input specifying the timing type, wherein the timing graphical program corresponds to the timing type; and

associating the timing graphical program with the timing node;

wherein during execution of the timing node, the timing graphical program executes to configure timing functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the timing type.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said configuring the timing node comprises:

associating program instructions and/or data structures with the timing node, wherein the program instructions and/or data structures are executable to configure timing functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the timing type;

wherein during execution of the timing node, the program instructions and/or data structures execute to configure timing functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the timing type.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said configuring the timing node comprises:

creating program instructions and/or data structures in the memory which are executable to configure timing functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the timing type; and

associating the program instructions and/or data structures with the timing node

wherein during execution of the timing node, the program instructions and/or data structures execute to configure timing functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the timing type.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said configuring the timing node comprises:

determining a front panel in response to said user input specifying the timing type, wherein the front panel corresponds to the timing type; and

associating the front panel with the timing node;

wherein the front panel comprises one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more timing parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the specified timing type; and

wherein during execution of the timing node, the front panel is useable to interactively configure timing functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the one or more timing parameters.

25. The method of claim 20,

wherein the timing node includes an icon;

and

wherein said configuring the timing node comprises changing the appearance of the timing node icon to visually indicate one or more of the timing type or the timing functionality.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

executing the graphical program to perform a task, wherein the timing node executes to configure timing functionality in the graphical program for performance of the measurement task.

27. A computer-implemented method for specifying timing in a graphical program, wherein the method for specifying timing operates in a computer including a memory, a display, and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a first polymorphic timing node in the graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the first polymorphic timing node;

receiving user input specifying one of the plurality of timing type options;

determining a front panel and a block diagram in response to said user input specifying one of the plurality of timing type options, wherein the front panel and block diagram correspond to the specified timing type, and wherein the front panel and block diagram are operable to configure timing functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the specified timing type; and

including the front panel and block diagram in the graphical program, wherein during execution of the graphical program the front panel and block diagram are executable to configure timing functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the specified timing type.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

in response to said determining, replacing the first polymorphic timing node in the graphical program with a second timing node corresponding to the front panel and block diagram, wherein the first polymorphic timing node and the second timing node have a name and/or an icon in common.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second timing node is a polymorphic timing node.

30. The method of claim 28,

wherein the second timing node is operable to be connected to one or more function nodes in the graphical program to configure timing functionality in the graphical program in accordance with the specified timing type.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

receiving user input to the graphical program connecting the second timing node to one or more function nodes in the graphical program, wherein the second timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the one or more function nodes.

32. The method of claim 28,

executing the graphical program to perform a task, wherein the second timing node executes to configure timing functionality in the graphical program for performance of the task.

33. The method of claim 27,

wherein the front panel comprises one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more timing parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the specified timing type;

and

wherein the block diagram comprises a graphical representation of the implementation of timing configuration in accordance with the specified timing type.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

connecting the first polymorphic timing node to one or more function nodes in the graphical program prior to said displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the first polymorphic timing node, wherein the first polymorphic timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the one or more function nodes.

35. A computer-implemented method for specifying timing in a graphical program, wherein the method for specifying timing operates in a computer including a display and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a first polymorphic timing node in the graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the first polymorphic timing node;

receiving user input specifying one of the plurality of timing type options; and

determining a second timing node in response to said user input specifying one of the plurality of timing type options, wherein the second timing node corresponds to the specified timing type, and wherein the second timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the specified timing type.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

including the second timing node in the graphical program in place of the first polymorphic timing node, wherein during execution of the graphical program the second timing node executes to configure timing functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the specified timing type.

37. A computer-implemented method for specifying timing in a first graphical program, wherein the method for specifying timing operates in a computer including a display and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a first timing node in the first graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the first timing node;

receiving user input specifying one of the plurality of timing type options; and

determining a timing graphical program in response to third user input specifying one of the plurality of timing type options, wherein the timing graphical program corresponds to the specified timing type, and wherein the timing graphical program is executable to configure timing functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the specified timing type.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

associating the timing graphical program with the first timing node in response to said determining, wherein during execution of the first graphical program, the timing graphical program executes to configure timing functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the specified timing type.

39. A computer-implemented method for specifying timing in a graphical program, wherein the method for specifying timing operates in a computer including a memory, a display and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for a timing node to be included in the graphical program;

receiving user input specifying a timing type from the plurality of timing type options;

determining the timing node based on the user input specifying the timing type; and

displaying the timing node on the display in the graphical program, wherein the timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the timing type.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

displaying on the display a first timing node in the graphical program prior to said displaying on the display the plurality of timing type options; and

receiving user input selecting the first timing node for configuration;

wherein said displaying on the display the plurality of timing type options is performed in response to said user input selecting the first timing node for configuration.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

connecting the first timing node to one or more function nodes in the graphical program prior to said displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the timing node, wherein the first timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the one or more function nodes.

42. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

displaying on the display an icon which represents a timing function; and

receiving user input selecting the icon for configuration;

wherein said displaying on the display the plurality of timing type options is performed in response to said user input selecting the icon for configuration.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

connecting the icon to one or more function nodes in the graphical program prior to said displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the timing node, wherein the icon is operable to function as a place-holder for the timing node.

44. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

wherein said displaying on the display the plurality of timing type options comprises displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising the plurality of timing type options.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the GUI is a menu.

46. A carrier medium which stores program instructions for specifying timing in a graphical program, wherein the program instructions are executable to perform:

displaying on the display a first timing node in the graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the first timing node;

receiving user input specifying a timing type from the plurality of timing type options;

determining a second timing node based on the user input specifying the timing type; and

displaying the second timing node on the display in the graphical program in place of the first timing node, wherein the second timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the timing type.

47. A system for specifying timing in a graphical program, the system comprising:

a computer system, comprising;

a memory which is operable to store graphical programming software;

a processor coupled to said memory; and

a display coupled to said processor and to said memory which is operable to display the graphical program;

wherein said graphical programming software is executable by said processor to perform;

displaying on the display a first timing node in the graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the first timing node;

receiving user input specifying a timing type from the plurality of timing type options;

determining a second timing node based on the user input specifying the timing type; and

displaying the second timing node on the display in the graphical program in place of the first timing node, wherein the second timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the timing type.

48. A system for specifying timing in a graphical program, the system comprising:

means for displaying on the display a first timing node in the graphical program;

means for displaying on the display a plurality of timing type options for the first timing node;

means for receiving user input specifying a timing type from the plurality of timing type options;

means for determining a second timing node based on the user input specifying the timing type; and

means for displaying the second timing node on the display in the graphical program in place of the first timing node, wherein the second timing node is operable to configure timing functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the timing type.

49. A computer-implemented method for specifying triggering in a graphical program, wherein the method for specifying triggering operates in a computer including a memory, a display and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a first triggering node in the graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the first triggering node;

receiving user input specifying a triggering type from the plurality of triggering type options;

determining a second triggering node based on the user input specifying the triggering type; and

displaying the second triggering node on the display in the graphical program in place of the first triggering node, wherein the second triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the triggering type.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the first triggering node is polymorphic.

51. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

connecting the first triggering node to one or more function nodes in the graphical program prior to said displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the first triggering node, wherein the first triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the one or more function nodes.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein the second triggering node is operable to be connected to one or more function nodes in the graphical program to configure triggering functionality in the graphical program in accordance with the specified triggering type.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

receiving user input to the graphical program connecting the second triggering node to one or more function nodes in the graphical program, wherein the second triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the one or more function nodes.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein the second triggering node comprises:

a second triggering node icon; and

a block diagram, comprising a graphical representation of the implementation of triggering configuration in accordance with the specified triggering type.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the second triggering node further comprises:

a front panel comprising one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more triggering parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the specified triggering type.

56. The method of claim 49, wherein the second triggering node comprises:

a second triggering node icon; and

program instructions and/or data structures for implementing triggering configuration in accordance with the specified triggering type.

57. The method of claim 49, wherein the second triggering node comprises:

a second triggering node icon; and

a front panel comprising one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more triggering parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the specified triggering type.

58. The method of claim 49, wherein the second triggering node comprises:

a second triggering node icon; and

a graphical user interface comprising one or more controls and/or indicators for enabling a user to set and/or display one or more triggering parameters prior to graphical program execution in accordance with the specified triggering type.

59. The method of claim 49, wherein the second triggering node comprises one or more of:

a second triggering node icon,

a front panel, comprising one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more triggering parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the specified triggering type; and

a block diagram, comprising a graphical representation of the implementation of triggering configuration in accordance with the specified triggering type.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

displaying the front panel on the display; and

receiving user input to the front panel specifying a value for at least one of the one or more triggering parameters;

wherein the second triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality in the graphical program in accordance with the one or more triggering parameters.

61. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

displaying the block diagram on the display.

62. The method of claim 49, wherein the graphical program is executable to perform a measurement task, and wherein the second triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality in the graphical program for performance of the measurement task.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the measurement task comprises one or more of:

a data acquisition task; and

a signal generation task.

64. The method of claim 49, wherein said displaying on the display the first triggering node in the graphical program comprises:

displaying on the display the first triggering node in the graphical program in response to user input specifying the first triggering node.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said user input specifying the first triggering node comprises:

the user dragging and dropping the first triggering node from a palette to the graphical program.

66. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

executing the graphical program to perform a task, wherein the second triggering node executes to configure triggering functionality in the graphical program for performance of the task.

67. The method of claim 49,

wherein the first triggering node has a default triggering type;

and

wherein the first triggering node comprises one or more of;

a default front panel, comprising one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more triggering parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the default triggering type; and

a default block diagram, comprising a graphical representation of the implementation of triggering configuration in accordance with the default triggering type.

68. A computer-implemented method for specifying triggering in a first graphical program, wherein the method for specifying triggering operates in a computer including a memory, display and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a triggering node in the first graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the triggering node;

receiving user input specifying a triggering type from the plurality of triggering type options; and

configuring the triggering node according to the triggering type, wherein after said configuring the triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the triggering type.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein said configuring the triggering node comprises:

determining a triggering graphical program in response to said user input specifying the triggering type, wherein the triggering graphical program corresponds to the triggering type; and

associating the triggering graphical program with the triggering node;

wherein during execution of the triggering node, the triggering graphical program executes to configure triggering functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the triggering type.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein said configuring the triggering node comprises:

associating program instructions and/or data structures with the triggering node, wherein the program instructions and/or data structures are executable to configure triggering functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the triggering type;

wherein during execution of the triggering node, the program instructions and/or data structures execute to configure triggering functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the triggering type.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein said configuring the triggering node comprises:

creating program instructions and/or data structures in the memory which are executable to configure triggering functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the triggering type; and

associating the program instructions and/or data structures with the triggering node

wherein during execution of the triggering node, the program instructions and/or data structures execute to configure triggering functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the triggering type.

72. The method of claim 68, wherein said configuring the triggering node comprises:

determining a front panel in response to said user input specifying the triggering type, wherein the front panel corresponds to the triggering type; and

associating the front panel with the triggering node;

wherein the front panel comprises one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more triggering parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the specified triggering type; and

wherein during execution of the triggering node, the front panel is useable to interactively configure triggering functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the one or more triggering parameters.

73. The method of claim 68,

wherein the triggering node includes an icon;

and

wherein said configuring the triggering node comprises changing the appearance of the triggering node icon to visually indicate one or more of the triggering type or the triggering functionality.

74. The method of claim 68, further comprising:

executing the graphical program to perform a task, wherein the triggering node executes to configure triggering functionality in the graphical program for performance of the measurement task.

75. A computer-implemented method for specifying triggering in a graphical program, wherein the method for specifying triggering operates in a computer including a memory, a display, and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a first polymorphic triggering node in the graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the first polymorphic triggering node;

receiving user input specifying one of the plurality of triggering type options;

determining a front panel and a block diagram in response to said user input specifying one of the plurality of triggering type options, wherein the front panel and block diagram correspond to the specified triggering type, and wherein the front panel and block diagram are operable to configure triggering functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the specified triggering type; and

including the front panel and block diagram in the graphical program, wherein during execution of the graphical program the front panel and block diagram are executable to configure triggering functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the specified triggering type.

76. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

in response to said determining, replacing the first polymorphic triggering node in the graphical program with a second triggering node corresponding to the front panel and block diagram, wherein the first polymorphic triggering node and the second triggering node have a name and/or an icon in common.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the second triggering node is a polymorphic triggering node.

78. The method of claim 77,

wherein the second triggering node is operable to be connected to one or more function nodes in the graphical program to configure triggering functionality in the graphical program in accordance with the specified triggering type.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising:

receiving user input to the graphical program connecting the second triggering node to one or more function nodes in the graphical program, wherein the second triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the one or more function nodes.

80. The method of claim 76,

executing the graphical program to perform a task, wherein the second triggering node executes to configure triggering functionality in the graphical program for performance of the task.

81. The method of claim 75,

wherein the front panel comprises one or more controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and displaying one or more triggering parameters during graphical program execution in accordance with the specified triggering type;

and

wherein the block diagram comprises a graphical representation of the implementation of triggering configuration in accordance with the specified triggering type.

82. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

connecting the first polymorphic triggering node to one or more function nodes in the graphical program prior to said displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the first polymorphic triggering node, wherein the first polymorphic triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the one or more function nodes.

83. A computer-implemented method for specifying triggering in a graphical program, wherein the method for specifying triggering operates in a computer including a display and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a first polymorphic triggering node in the graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the first polymorphic triggering node;

receiving user input specifying one of the plurality of triggering type options; and

determining a second triggering node in response to said user input specifying one of the plurality of triggering type options, wherein the second triggering node corresponds to the specified triggering type, and wherein the second triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the specified triggering type.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

including the second triggering node in the graphical program in place of the first polymorphic triggering node, wherein during execution of the graphical program the second triggering node executes to configure triggering functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the specified triggering type.

85. A computer-implemented method for specifying triggering in a first graphical program, wherein the method for specifying triggering operates in a computer including a display and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a first triggering node in the first graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the first triggering node;

receiving user input specifying one of the plurality of triggering type options; and

determining a triggering graphical program in response to third user input specifying one of the plurality of triggering type options, wherein the triggering graphical program corresponds to the specified triggering type, and wherein the triggering graphical program is executable to configure triggering functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the specified triggering type.

86. The method of claim 85, further comprising:

associating the triggering graphical program with the first triggering node in response to said determining, wherein during execution of the first graphical program, the triggering graphical program executes to configure triggering functionality for the first graphical program in accordance with the specified triggering type.

87. A computer-implemented method for specifying triggering in a graphical program, wherein the method for specifying triggering operates in a computer including a memory, a display and a user input device, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for a triggering node to be included in the graphical program;

receiving user input specifying a triggering type from the plurality of triggering type options;

determining the triggering node based on the user input specifying the triggering type; and

displaying the triggering node on the display in the graphical program, wherein the triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the triggering type.

88. The method of claim 87, further comprising:

displaying on the display a first triggering node in the graphical program prior to said displaying on the display the plurality of triggering type options; and

receiving user input selecting the first triggering node for configuration;

wherein said displaying on the display the plurality of triggering type options is performed in response to said user input selecting the first triggering node for configuration.

89. The method of claim 88, further comprising:

connecting the first triggering node to one or more function nodes in the graphical program prior to said displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the triggering node, wherein the first triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the one or more function nodes.

90. The method of claim 87, further comprising:

displaying on the display an icon which represents a triggering function; and

receiving user input selecting the icon for configuration;

wherein said displaying on the display the plurality of triggering type options is performed in response to said user input selecting the icon for configuration.

91. The method of claim 90, further comprising:

connecting the icon to one or more function nodes in the graphical program prior to said displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the triggering node, wherein the icon is operable to function as a place-holder for the triggering node.

92. The method of claim 87, further comprising:

wherein said displaying on the display the plurality of triggering type options comprises displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising the plurality of triggering type options.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the GUI is a menu.

94. A carrier medium which stores program instructions for specifying triggering in a graphical program, wherein the program instructions are executable to perform:

displaying on the display a first triggering node in the graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the first triggering node;

receiving user input specifying a triggering type from the plurality of triggering type options;

determining a second triggering node based on the user input specifying the triggering type; and

displaying the second triggering node on the display in the graphical program in place of the first triggering node, wherein the second triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the triggering type.

95. A system for specifying triggering in a graphical program, the system comprising:

a computer system, comprising;

a memory which is operable to store graphical programming software;

a processor coupled to said memory; and

a display coupled to said processor and to said memory which is operable to display the graphical program;

wherein said graphical programming software is executable by said processor to perform;

displaying on the display a first triggering node in the graphical program;

displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the first triggering node;

receiving user input specifying a triggering type from the plurality of triggering type options;

determining a second triggering node based on the user input specifying the triggering type; and

displaying the second triggering node on the display in the graphical program in place of the first triggering node, wherein the second triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the triggering type.

96. A system for specifying triggering in a graphical program, the system comprising:

means for displaying on the display a first triggering node in the graphical program;

means for displaying on the display a plurality of triggering type options for the first triggering node;

means for receiving user input specifying a triggering type from the plurality of triggering type options;

means for determining a second triggering node based on the user input specifying the triggering type; and

means for displaying the second triggering node on the display in the graphical program in place of the first triggering node, wherein the second triggering node is operable to configure triggering functionality for the graphical program in accordance with the triggering type.