Learning LVOOP through Actor Framework

[jon_mcbee]

I am trying to learn LVOOP so that I can apply it at work.  It seems like the Actor Framework is a tool that I could easily make use of, and so I thought it made sense to study it as both a means of learning LVOOP and learning a powerful new tool at the same time.  I have read through the documents and looked over the examples, and I feel like I understand the concept but am having a very difficult time implementing anything.  In fact, I sit down and dont even know where to start.  Does anyone have any small small/easier to understand examples using the Actor Framework that they would be willing to post?

[David S.]

I had the exact same problem. I started a discussion here to try and figure it out, but I ultimately decided to shelve it for awhile when I learned that the framework imposes a barrier between an engine's private data and non-message-handling internal logic. Maybe I'll try again with a future revision to the framework.

Hopefully my dialogue with niACS and incomplete example will help you climb the learning curve.

[Elijah_K]

Have you checked out Angry Eagles? I think that's the best example we have.  If you really want something simple, you might also check out this very simple example I recently posted.

[jon_mcbee]

Thanks David S., I read through your thread with niACS but didnt pull your project down.  I will take a look at it tonight.  I volunteered to give a presentation on the Actor Framework to my company at the end of the month, so I will have to keep banging my head against it.  My goal is to write the same application using the Actor Framework and the AMC Ref Library as a demonstration of how using the Actor Framework can benefit my co-workers.  I hope I didnt bite off more than I can chew!

[jon_mcbee]

Thanks for the heads up ElijahK, I hadn't come across this example.  I will take a look at it tonight and see if I can gleen anything from it.

[David S.]

jmcbee, good luck with your presentation. If you succeed, pretty please post your side-by-side examples in this group!

[KuGr]

So, not knowing how basic we need to go, how about an example of starting and stopping an Actor.  Nothing fancy, no inheritance on Actor, just basic stuff.

The only thing on the front panel is a stop button.  I attached the vi.

Let's see if this makes sense to you then we can move on.  After that, we really need to come up with an example.  Derive an Actor and Messages.

If this does not help let me know.

[KuGr]

Also, AF 1.0 from 2010 had an example that came with the framework.  I can try to port that to AF2.  As I recall it represented a cooling system with fans etc.  Let me check.

[jon_mcbee]

Thank you KuGr.  I added comments to the block diagram explaining what the pieces are doing, and asking questions.  I appreciate you taking the time to put this together.  If you get a chance to look at my comments please feel free to give me feedback. 

[LVB]

Did you take a look at the NI Week 2011 Demo?

The comment here walks you through the hands-on demo to get started with the Actor Framework.