Passing StringVectorData

Don_Kirby · Posted: 28 November 2006, 2:06 AM Post subject: Passing StringVectorData

In an effort to be a bit more efficient in my coding, I'm using StringVectorData to store menu strings. Although the implimentation is fairly straightfoward, there's a few things I'd like to do that I can't seem to get a grasp on.

In total, I have 5 different menus, having varying numbers of entries. These menu strings are need to be sent via a serial (USB) connection to a terminal. In my previous version (without StringVectorData), each menu that was to be displayed had it's own sub which handled both the serial communications and the string data. Very simple.

In order to reduce so much redundant code, I would like to pass the vector data variable name to the sub, which in turn will parse the data and send it off to the serial port.

So how does one pass the data in an array where the array could be one of several, each with different upper bounds?

-Don

dkinzer · Posted: 28 November 2006, 2:36 AM Post subject:

I did something similar to this on my dividing head controller project. To address some of the issues that you are encountering, I ended up creating a "menu compiler" that takes textual descriptions of the menu structure and produces a file that can be used to initialize a ByteVectorData element. The data structure includes tables that can be indexed by a menu ID to locate the information for that menu, including the text for menu items and the actions associated with them.

To address your specific question, you'll need to pass the address of the data and its length. Then, in the service routine you'll have to use GetEEPROM() to read the data from Program Memory.

If you're interested in using the menu compiler, you can download it from the project page given above.

Don_Kirby · Posted: 28 November 2006, 2:48 AM Post subject:

I looked into using the DataAddress property, but was having difficulty implimenting it. After reading your post however, I think I have an idea how it should go together, using DataAddress and UBound to pass the data.

Thanks for the input Don.

-D

Don_Kirby · Posted: 29 November 2006, 0:07 AM Post subject:

So I have it working, but it's real clunky... Don, I looked around at your Dividing Head Controller project, but didn't find any links to the menu compiler. I'd like to see how someone who actually knows how to code does it...

-Don

dkinzer · Posted: 29 November 2006, 0:29 AM Post subject:

I was mistaken - there is no link on that page. On the parent page there is a short description and an invitation to email me for further information. I sent you (Don Kirby) a private email with the information.

Don_Kirby · Posted: 29 November 2006, 1:18 AM Post subject:

Thanks Don

Don_Kirby · Posted: 03 December 2006, 2:50 AM Post subject:

Another little detail...

In my experiences with StringVectorData, I have yet to find a way to embed characters that are not directly type-able (i.e. [ESC] or [CR]+[LF]). I have worked around this by parsing command strings via code, but I would rather store them in the vector data.

Is there a method provided for this?

-Don

dkinzer · Posted: 03 December 2006, 3:55 AM Post subject:

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