User Input data type "Text"

Hi, at the moment, Uer Inputs can support variables of type Single/Double precision, Integer, Byte. In your future upgrades can it also support vaiables of type "Text". Now, I know one can use Global Variables which already supports "Text", but it becomes a pain when copying dewesoft setup files across multiple Test PCs as the Global variables are stored within the Dewesoft "environment" in that PC and cannot be moved with the Setup. What I am after is a method of copying variables of type "Text" across multiple PCs with the setup rather than using the existing Global vaiables export->import feature. User Inputs appears to be the most sensible place to accomodate such a variable as they are stored within the setup. Please let me know if this already achievable through some other way. Thanks

Hi,

Any update to this request?

Hi. If I understand you correctly, you are already familiar with functions Import/Export files in Global variables window, and you want another way how to import global variables to the new PC with the setup. In the new version of DewesoftX 2022.1 this will be possible by right click on the setup name and then select option "Import project and load" (shown in the attached image). This will automatically add global variables that were defined in the chosen setup.

Thanks for the reply. My question is I DO NOT like importing Global Variables in every other PC. I wish to create a variable of type "Text" within the Dewesoft setup. So when I use the same setup on another PC, the variable is already present. So I dont need to worry about importing it. The "User Inputs" appear to be the most sensible place to accomodate such a variable as they are stored within the setup. But at the moment, they only seem to support variables of type Single/Double precision, Integer, Byte.

Hi. Thank you for additional explanation. We passed your wish to our developer team.

Hi. Has there been any progress on this request?

In addition to Single/Double precision, Integer and Byte, can the Dewesoft setup "User Input" also support data type "Text"?

Dear Dino,

thank you for the follow-up regarding this feature request.

As mentioned by Matej previously, the feature request has been reported to the developers. Unfortunately, we haven't received any additional requests for this feature, which is why implementing it is currently not in the short-term plan.

Should the status of the feature request change, we will let you know.

Best regards,

Pika

+1 for this feature request! "In addition to Single/Double precision, Integer and Byte, can the Dewesoft setup "User Input" also support data type "Text"?"

Thanks Matt, Pika

Pika - What is the minimum number of request required for a feature to be considered for future implementation?

Dear Dino,

I went through my last reply on this thread one more time, and realized I've worded my response a little awkwardly, I do apologise for that. The decision of which feature request will be implemented of course depends on multiple factors- if we receive multiple similar requests in a short time span, this is one of the indicators that our software is missing an essential function (the developers then determine the implementation plan based on their other tasks, how difficult/lengthy it will be to implement a feature, how well the feature will work with the pre-existing software options, ...)- the developers always try to ensure that DewesoftX keeps evolving with features that ultimately make for a better user experience and make working with our software easier.

DewesoftX currently does not offer the option to input text-type variables in User inputs- originally Global variables and Data headers were meant to store text-type information.

Both Global variables and Data Headers are stored in our Project files, not Setup files, which does mean that they will not be loaded as soon as we open a Setup- unless we already have the project file loaded.

DewesoftX currently has two easy ways to work around this- the first option is to import the project alongside the setup file, with the Load special option:

The other option is the import/export function under the Global variables/Data header tab. This option allows the user to export Global variables to a separate file, and import said file on a different PC- kind of like opening a Setup file:

From experience, most users using Global variables/Data headers, have specialised user-cases, and therefore work with a specific project file, and with predefined Global variables. They therefore mainly work with the Load special option.

Since your application seems different, would you mind telling me more about it? Perhaps we could find an alternative you could work with before the feature is implemented.

Best regards,

Pika

Hi Pika,

Many thanks for your feedback.

Will certainly have a look at your suggestions.

I have never used a dewesoft project before and have always used dewesoft setup (*.dxs).

What is the difference between a project file and a setup file?

The snippet appears to show how to import a project file. However, how did you create a project file in the first place? Is a global variable automatically stored in the project as and when you create one or do you have to manually do something?

BR

Sam

Hello Sam, you can create a new project the following way:

The way I use a project is to change between Measure and Analyze. You can allocate the channels with simulated devices in an Analyze project. That way you don't need to connect the data acquisition system in order to use DEWESoftX. You can also use different files and folders and set different default folders like for setup or data files. When I'm in Measure mode and project I want to safe my data files locally on my hard drive. After the measurement you could use the data manager to automatically upload the measurement data to an external hard drive where everybody in your company has access to. Ideally your Analyze project would have this external hard drive as default folders.

This is just how I use different projects and I'm happy to hear more about it from the DEWESoft forum team. Thank you!

Dear Sam,

For a little more detailed explanation, you can take a look at our How To Setup Dewesoft X DAQ Software PRO training, specifically section 4. What is a Setup file and what is a Project file?.

DewesoftX works with 3 main types of files, the datafiles, Setup files, and Project files. We get a datafile whenever we store data. You also already know about Setup files- this is where we store all the channel settings (like channel names, ranges, sample rates, Sensor information), all the displays we have made in Measure mode, the Storing conditions we've set, all the Math formulas, and other Plugin settings.

We can load a setup file from DewesoftX' Setup files tab, and the Setup files themselves are located in the Setups subfolder in the DewesoftX folder on you computer:

We also always work with Project files when using DewesoftX, we just might not be actively aware of it- project files work in the background of DewesoftX and we use them to store the hardware setup and program settings, such as the connected devices, enabled and disabled extensions. In other words, pretty much everything you set in DewesoftX' Settings is stored there.

When we first open DewesoftX, a Default project file is generated for us, and all of the above mentioned settings are automatically saved to it whenever we exit the Settings tab. We also never have to make a different Project file, but might want to do so if we are working with multiple different device configurations.

These files are stored to DewesoftX' System folder with a .dxp extension. If you want to make a new project file, change a project file, or delete a currently opened project file, you can do so directly from DewesoftX by navigating to Options -> Project. There, you will get an overview of all the available projects (with the currently used one having a checkmark next to its name), and different options you can use to interact with projects:

An important thing to note is that a Project file is an integral part of the setup file (due to the fact that these files are always present), so we can always extract a project file from a Setup file. However, please keep in mind that importing a project will overwrite the currently opened project file.

Global variables are (like other settings) tied to the Project file- when you make a Global variable, all the necessary information about it will be stored to the project file you currently have "running in the background". If you create a new project, you'll be working with a clean slate- default settings with no non-necessary settings enabled. This means that, if you wanted to work with Global variables in a new project, you would have to make them by hand, or import them in the Global variables settings tab.

Please do let me know if you have any additional questions, or if I didn't explain everything clearly.

Best regards,

Pika

Thanks Pika. Will have a look.