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probe The Data Probe Window

Chapter 8 The Data Probe Window


8.1 Overview

The data probe shown in Figure 8-1 is a window which manages collections of names from the ASCEND simulation universe. Each collection is kept in a buffer, and the user can switch among as many buffers as are needed for convenience. For example, the first buffer may be used as a set of bookmarks to store the names of interesting submodels within a large simulation, a second buffer can be used to monitor a set of key variables, and a third can be used to monitor specifications. The browser provides a two-level view of information - the probe provides a random access view.

Figure 8-1

Probe window

Names are imported to any collection buffer from the other parts of the user interface or from a previously saved file of names. Once collected, a name remains in the buffer until the user removes it, even if the type library and simulations are deleted. This way the set of names is preserved when the user makes a small modification to a MODEL and rebuilds it.

Names in probe buffers are displayed with their corresponding values or other attributes as appropriate. When a name is not well defined (perhaps because the simulation it came from has been deleted temporarily) the attribute displayed is ``UNCERTAIN.'' As soon as the name becomes well-defined again by having a corresponding simulation object built, the correct attribute will appear. Names of atomic objects (reals, integers, sets, symbols, booleans) which have not yet been assigned a value will be shown as ``UNDEFINED'' until some operation assigns them a value.

8.2 The File menu

8.2.1 New buffer

This starts another collection of names, which is initially empty. Each buffer receives a standard name when it is created, NoNameX.a4p, where X is the number of the buffer. These buffer names appear at the bottom of the File menu.

8.2.2 Read file

This appends a file full of names into the current buffer and will automatically attempt to associate them with the simulations in the system. This way the name list can be reloaded from a prior work session. The file name is not associated with the buffer.

8.2.3 Save

This will save the names in the current buffer to a file with the buffer's menu name. If you wish to save with a more meaningful name, use ``Save as.'' Values are not saved with these names. To save the values, use the Print command.

8.2.4 Save as

This allows you to specify the directory and file name in which to save the names in the current buffer.

8.2.5 Print

This lets you print the current buffer to a printer or a file. This prints what you see in the buffer window, including the values. The printer setup dialog will pop up for you to set the destination.

8.3 The Edit Menu

8.3.1 Remove Selected names

This options removes all highlighted lines in the window. The selection in the probe can be set in a disjointed fashion using Control-Button-1 and drag.

8.3.2 Remove all names

This options removes all names in the current buffer window.

8.3.3 Remove UNCERTAIN names

This removes all names that are not well defined. These are the names displayed as ``name = UNCERTAIN.''

8.3.4 Copy

This copies all the selected items in the current buffer to the clipboard.

8.4 The View Menu

From the view menu one can select a new font for the probe by the standard font dialog, and one can toggle the Probe's auto-display feature.

8.5 The Export Menu

8.5.1 to Browser

This option sends the first selected name in the probe to the browser.

8.5.2 to Display

This options sends some form of the selected names in the probe to the Display slave window, replacing whatever used to be in the display.

8.6 The Probe Filter

A class or classes of object can be imported to the probe en masse. The import filter shown in Figure 8-2 lets you select which collection of names (probe buffer) is to receive the imported names which are of the types checked. Currently the probe filter window is accessible only from the Browser Export button.

The filtering import can also be executed from the Script using the PROBE command. The list of ones and zeros required for the PROBE command is ordered in the same way as the list of types in the import filter window. The easiest way to set the list of ones and zeros is to use the Script recording feature and the Browser Export Many to probe button.

Figure 8-2

Probe import filter


Last Modified: 02:50pm EDT, September 30, 1997
9/26/97 Release 0.8 authors T.O.C. Index Bug Report ASCEND IV Home