Lesson 10
Using Sequential and State Machine
Programming
Recognize the benefits of sequential and state-based algorithms and apply
techniques in LabVIEW to enforce sequential or state execution.
A. Using Sequential Programming
B. Using State Programming
C. State Machines
1
LESSON 10 Using Sequential and State-Based Designs
A. Using Sequential
Programming
Use dataflow to ensure sequential execution of nodes.
• Why Use Sequential Programming?
• Flow-Through Parameters
• Sequence Structures
• Error Case Structures
2
A. Using Sequential Programming
Why Use Sequential Programming?
3
A. Using Sequential Programming
Flow-Through Parameters
4
A. Using Sequential Programming
Sequence Structures
Sequence structures are a structure with frames, where
each frame executes in order.
5
A. Using Sequential Programming
Avoid Overuse of Sequence Structures
Cannot stop the execution in the middle of a sequence.
6
A. Using Sequential Programming
Error Case Structures
7
LESSON 10 Using Sequential and State-Based Designs
B. Using State
Programming
Describe the functionality represented by a state transition
diagram.
• Why Use State Programming?
• State Transition Diagrams
8
B. Using State Programming
Why Use State Programming?
• Change the order of a sequence
• Repeat an item in sequence more often than others
• Execute only if certain conditions are met
• Stop the program immediately
9
B. Using State Programming
State Transition Diagram
State—Part of a program that satisfies a
condition, performs an action, or waits for
an event
Transition—Condition, action, or event that
causes the program to move to the next
state
10
B. Using State Programming
State Transition Diagram
11
LESSON 10 Using Sequential and State-Based Designs
C. State Machines
Determine when to use a state machine.
• What is a State Machine?
• When to Use a State Machine?
• Building a State Machine
• Event-Based State Machine
• Simple State Machine Project Template
12
C. State Machines
What is a State Machine?
13
C. State Machines
When to Use a State Machine
Sequential Process UI-Driven Process
14
LESSON 10 Using Sequential and State-Based Designs
Multimedia Module
Building State Machines
• State Machine Infrastructure
• State Machine Transitions
• Building State Machines
15
C. State Machines
Course Project Transition Diagram
LESSON 10 Using Sequential and State-Based Designs
Exercise 10-1
Weather Station Project
Create a Weather Station application using a state machine design pattern.
Practice skills learned throughout this course.
LESSON 10 Using Sequential and State-Based Designs
Exercise 10-1
Weather Station Project
How would you change the diagram to add an Initialize and Shutdown state?
C. State Machines
Event-Based State Machine
LESSON 10 Using Sequential and State-Based Designs
Demonstration
Simple State Machine Project Template
Use the Create Project dialog box to expedite implementing an
event-based state machine application.
20
LESSON 10 Using Sequential and State-Based Designs
Activity 10-1
Lesson Review
Refer to the participant guide to answer questions about what you have learned in
this lesson and then discuss the answers as a group.
21
Lesson Review
1. When using a Sequence structure, you
can stop the execution in the middle of a
sequence.
a. True
b. False
22
Lesson Review
1. When using a Sequence structure, you
can stop the execution in the middle of a
sequence.
a. True
b. False
You cannot stop the execution in the middle of a
sequence.
23
Lesson Review
2. Which of the following are benefits of
using a state machine instead of a
sequential structure?
a. You can change the order of the sequence.
b. You can repeat individual items in the sequence.
c. You can set conditions to determine when an
item in the sequence should execute.
d. You can stop the program at any point in the
sequence.
24
Lesson Review
2. Which of the following are benefits of
using a state machine instead of a
sequential structure?
a. You can change the order of the sequence.
b. You can repeat individual items in the
sequence.
c. You can set conditions to determine when an
item in the sequence should execute.
d. You can stop the program at any point in the
sequence.
25
