Experimental Physics and
Industrial Control System

Ric Claus <[email protected]> · Fri, 23 Feb 1996 15:05:00 -0800 (PST)

Deb,

	[snipped my comments]

> The display list was recently modified to include formats on text_entry 
> objects.  My plan was to allow hex numbers if the format was set to do so,
> and have it be an error otherwise.  Alternatively, for DBR types that are
> not double or float, I could just allow them.  (I could even allow them
> for floats and doubles, but I'm not sure that it makes as much sense.)
> Comments?  I'm assuming that if the hex format was chosen, CA updates to the
> text_entry object would reflect that choice.  Last question: if the hex
> format is selected, do I reject input other input?  (I vote no, as long as
> it fits the %i format of scanf)
> Ditto for octal format....

By "format" do you mean scanf style formats?  My guess is that that would be
preferable.  Along with my don't do the user any favors philosophy, I would 
not check the DBR types when interpretting a number.  The user should get what
(s)he asks for if at all possible, even if (s)he gets something other than 
what (s)he intended.  So if (s)he asks for %i format for a double, an integer, 
octal or hexadecimal representation of a double should be entered.  (S)He'll 
change it when (s)he grows tired of it.  Thus reject it only if scanf does.

By the way, I would consequently suggest that "text update" objects show hex
numbers with a leading "0x" or "0X" rather than a trailing "x" to be 
consistent.  Ultimately, when drag-and-drop is implemented, a number like 13x 
won't be accepted by scanf when dropped on a "text entry" object, never mind
arguments invoking potential operator confusion.  Maybe "text update" objects 
should also be modified to accept a format specifier (perhaps as a menu choice 
so the current scheme doesn't break anything)?

> 
> > I find that in some cases undesired behavior is produced when continuously 
> > updating the .VAL field with a changing valuator.  I realize that this behavior
> > can be changed with the menu on the live valuator, but I would rather like to
> > be able to set the defaults in this menu with edd when the valuator is created
> > or modified.
> 
> Also in the display list, so you can configure it in edd.  Soon (hopefully) it
> will be implemented in dm.  I, too, hate to have to configure things every 
> time I bring up a display.
> 
> > 
> > 	Ric
> > 
> 
> Deb
> 

Great, Deb.  Thanks very much!

	Ric

Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System

Experimental Physics and
Industrial Control System