Simulation Functionality

In Flowcode, simulation allows you to test and debug your embedded system designs without needing physical hardware. It provides a visual environment where you can run your program, interact with components, and observe their behavior in real-time. The simulation includes features like breakpoints, variable tracking, and real-time data display, helping you identify issues and optimize your design before uploading it to the actual hardware.

Flowcode's simulation feature offers a powerful environment for testing and debugging embedded system designs. Here’s more detail on its capabilities:

• Real-Time Simulation: You can run your design as if it were on actual hardware, with real-time updates on how components like LEDs, sensors, or motors behave in response to the programmed logic.
• Interactive Testing: Many components allow user interaction during the simulation. For example, you can press virtual buttons, adjust sensor values, or modify inputs to see how the system responds.
• Debugging Tools: The simulation includes essential debugging features like breakpoints, step-by-step execution, and variable tracking. This lets you pause and inspect your program at specific points to identify issues or optimize performance.
• Graphical Feedback: Data like sensor readings or communication signals can be visualized using built-in graphs and data monitors, making it easier to observe trends and behaviors over time.
• Component Visualization: Physical components, such as displays or motors, are visually represented, so you can see how they would react in a real-world scenario, enhancing understanding and design verification.
• Error Checking: Flowcode provides error messages and warnings during simulation, helping catch issues like incorrect component configurations or logical errors in the code.

Simulation in Flowcode helps streamline the development process by allowing thorough testing before deployment to hardware, reducing errors and saving time in the prototyping phase.

Built in functions

ComponentPanelMouseKeyboardFCDSoundDataRecorderCalculationsConsoleConnectionExpandTreeFileUITimeLanguageSystemDebug

Property
GetValue		Gets the value of a property as a string
SetColor		Sets a components 'color' property as a R,G,B value
SetValue		Sets a components property as a string
CopyValue		Copies a property value from one target to another
SetChildValues		Sets all child components property as a string
CopyChildValues		Copies the values of a properties children from the source to dest
SetVisible		Sets whether the property is visible or not
SetWritable		Sets whether the property can be edited in the UI or not
GetVisible		Gets whether the property is visible or not
GetWritable		Gets whether the property can be edited in the UI or not
GetFilter		Gets a components property filter string for lists, files, etc
SetFilter		Sets a components property filter string for lists, files, etc
CopyFilter		Copies a property filter from one target to another
GetListIndex		Gets a single lists index value from a property by line number
GetListItem		Gets a single list entry from a property by named index
SetListItem		Sets an existing list entries text for the property by named index
AddListItem		Alters or appends a list entries text for the property by named index

GetPanel		Returns the id of the panel hosting the component
SetInteractive		Sets whether a component can interact with the mouse
GetInteractive		Gets whether a component can interact with the mouse
SetVisible		Sets whether a component can be seen on the panel
GetVisible		Gets whether a component can be seen on the panel
SetSolid		Sets whether a component is checked in collision detections
GetSolid		Gets whether a component is checked in collision detections
SetCompile		Sets whether a component is considered for compilation or not
GetCompile		Gets whether a component will be compiled or not
GetInstance		Gets the type-instance of the component, >= 1 is valid
FindChild		Finds a named object that is part of the component
GetRoot		Gets the root component handle
GetTopParent		Gets the top-level owner of the component
GetParent		Gets the owner of the component
GetNext		Gets the next (younger) sibling of the components handle
GetLast		Gets the previous (elder) sibling of the components handle
GetChildHead		Gets the first (eldest) child of the component
GetChildTail		Gets the last (youngest) child of the component
GetOriginal		Gets the original definition of the component, returns Current if no original copy
Clone		Clones an existing object to another position on the panel
Delete		Deletes an existing object, removing it from the panel

GetPanelName		Returns the name of the panel from the id
GetPanelBkColour		Returns the main background colour of the panel
Get2dPanelCount		Gets the number of 2d panels
Create2dPanel		Creates a new 2d panel
AddNewComponent		Adds a new component to a panel

Position
GetWorldPosition		Returns the positions coordinates in (X,Y,Z) array
GetWorldSize		Returns the component size in (X,Y,Z) array
SetWorldPosition		Moves the object to the given coordinates in World coordinates
SetWorldSize		Sets the objects size to a value
Get		Gets a handle to an object representing the components current position
GetOrigin		Gets a handle to an empty position
Set		Sets an objects position based on a component or pre-defined position
SetCoords		Sets an objects coordinates based on a position
SetScale		Sets an objects scale based on a position
SetRotation		Sets an objects orientation based on a position
GetBox		Gets a handle to an object representing the components bounding box position
GetLineNodes		Returns the position of a line's nodes as a comma-separated list
SetLineNodes		Sets the nodes of a line
Morph		Blends positions from two sources to a destination
Animate		Blends positions from two sources to a destination over time
StopAnimate		Stops all animations started by this component
MoveAlong		Moves the object by the given offset relative to its parent along an axis
MoveBy		Moves the object by the given offset relative to its parent
MoveTo		Moves the object to the given coordinates relative to its parent
ScaleTo		Sets the objects scale to a value
ScaleUp		Multiplies the objects scale by a value
ScaleDown		Divides the objects scale by a value
RotateTo		Rotates the object to the given rotation
RotateAlong		Rotates the object by the given rotation along an axis
RotateX		Rotates the object around the X axis
RotateY		Rotates the object around the Y axis
RotateZ		Rotates the object around the Z axis
GetCoords		Returns the positions coordinates in (X,Y,Z) array
GetScale		Returns the positions scale in (X,Y,Z) array
GetQuat		Returns the positions quaternion in (X,Y,Z,W) array
GetEuler		Returns the positions euler angles in (P,Y,R) array
Math		Coordinate maths functions
Panel2D		2D Panel functions
Camera		Camera positioning for 3D panel

PCloud
Create		Creates a new point cloud tied to a position handle
SetVisible		Sets whether the point cloud is displayed or not
SetPos		Sets the position for the point cloud to be located at
GetPos		Gets the position the point cloud is located at
SetPoints		Sets the X,Y,Z point lists
SetPointsEx		Sets the X,Y,Z point lists
SetGrid		Sets the X,Y,Z point lists in a height-map grid
SetGridEx		Sets the X,Y,Z point lists in a height-map grid
SetGridFlat		Sets the X,Y,Z point lists in a flat height-map grid
SetGridPoint		Given an XY on the grid, sets the vertex value at that point
UnitScale		Creates a unit scaled axis (X, Y or Z) with a center of zero and a range of two
SetColor		Sets the RGB colour of the entire cloud
SetColors		Sets the RGB colour of the individual points in the cloud
SetGridColor		Given an XY on the grid, sets the vertex colour at that point
SetMode		Sets the rendering mode of the point cloud
SetPointLight		Enables or disables simple lighting for point mode, providing a normal passing through the point and (0,0,0)
Update		Manually refresh the screen the point cloud exists on

LinkBar
Create		Creates a new bar linking a pair of position handles
SetVisible		Sets whether the link is displayed or not
SetStartPos		Sets the position for the start point of the bar
SetEndPos		Sets the position for the end point of the bar
SetStartAdjustment		Sets the clipping adjustments for the beginning of the link
SetEndAdjustment		Sets the clipping adjustments for the end of the link
SetStartGfx		Sets the graphic for the start point of the bar
SetBarGfx		Sets the graphic for the main line of the bar
SetEndGfx		Sets the graphic for the end point of the bar
GetStartPos		Gets the position the bars start point is located at
GetBarPos		Gets the position the bar is located at
GetEndPos		Gets the position the bars end point is located at
Update		Manually refresh the screen the bar exists on
EnableAuto		Sets whether Flowcode should automatically draw links for component object property types

TextLabel
Create		Creates a new text label that always faces the camera
SetVisible		Sets whether the label is displayed or not
SetPos		Sets the position for the point to draw the text at
SetOffset		Sets the offset from the SetPos() position for the label
SetText		Sets the text for the label
SetScale		Sets the multipliers for the width and height of the label
SetColors		Sets the foreground and background colours for the label
SetViewMode		Sets whether to draw at a fixed size or to scale based on distance from the camera
GetPos		Gets the position the label is located at
Update		Manually refresh the screen the label exists on

Collision
TestTable		Tests whether an object collides with the table top, returns Z distance to move to rest on the table
TestSingle		Tests whether an object collides with a position
GetSingleAxis		Tests whether an object collides with a position
GetSinglePos		Returns the position to move Pos to so it does not collide with Test - null if no collide
GetMultiAxis		Tests whether an object collides with a position
GetMultiPos		Returns the position to move Pos to so it does not collide with any other object - null if no collide

Graphics
Redraw		Sends a redraw request to the given component
SetColor		Sets the draw colour for and subsequent graphics objects
SetColorRGB		Sets the draw colour for and subsequent graphics objects
SetTextFont		Sets the text font for subsequent text objects
SetTextScale		Sets the text scale for subsequent text objects
SetLineThickness		Sets the thinkness when drawing lines and points
DrawCreate		Creates a drawing area on a shape
DrawBegin		Begins drawing on a given shape
DrawEnd		Ends drawing started with DrawBegin()
DrawDelete		Deletes a drawing area for a shape
DrawText		Draws a line of text texture
DrawPoint		Draws a point on a texture
DrawLine		Draws a line on a texture
DrawLineA		Draws a smooth line on a texture
DrawRect		Draws a rectangle on a texture
DrawCircle		Draws a circle on a texture
Clear		Clear texture to the given component
Shape		Routines to change the last drawn shape

GetButtons		Gets the button state from the mouse: 4 for left, 1 for right
GetFocus		Gets the handle of the component under the mouse
GetPosition		Gets the position of the mouse, intersecting with a component or the viewing plane
GetPosition2D		Gets the X/Y position of the mouse in screen coords
GetClickSide		Gets the side of the component clicked on, 0 to 5
SimClick		Simulates a click on an object
SimDrag		Simulates a click-drag on an object
SimRelease		Simulates a click-release on an object

KeyDown		Simulates a key-press on an object
KeyUp		Simulates a key-release on an object

GetItemValue		Gets a paths item value from the FCD document
GetItemHandle		Gets a FCD items handle, suitable for traversal with the Tree API
GetPathHandle		Gets a FCD paths handle, suitable for traversal with the Tree API
SetItemValue		Override item value from the FCD document from path
ResetItemValue		Reset paths item value from the FCD document

Play		Plays a formatted file sound, returns true if the sound played OK
LoadWav		Loads a wave file into memory, providing the values needed to play it
Create		Creates a sound object that data can be played through
SetVolume		Sets the volume of playbacks for this sound
GetVolume		Gets the volume of playbacks for this sound in the range 0 to 1
GetBits		Gets the number of bits per sample for the sound
GetRate		Gets the current sample rate for the sound
SetRate		Sets the current sample rate for the sound - this will stop the playing sound
Queue		Queues a sound for playing
QueueEx		Queues a sound for playing, with the format provided
Flush		Stops all playing and queued sounds
GetPending		Gets the number of sample blocks queued or playing for the sound

AddGroup		Adds a group to the scope to which streams may be added
ShowGroup		Sets the visibility of the given group
AddStream		Adds a stream to the given group suitable for inputs and operations
AddBuffer		Adds a fixed-view stream to the given group suitable for inputs and operations
Rename		Renames the given scope group, stream or buffer
SetYAxisLabels		Sets the labels for the Y-axis of the given stream
SetLineColor		Sets the group, stream or buffers line colour
GetLineColor		Gets the streams line colour
SetBackColor		Sets the groups background colour
GetBackColor		Gets the stream groups background colour
SetDecodable		Sets whether a stream can be decoded via the components event - defaults to 'true'
GetDecodable		Gets whether a stream can be decoded via the components event - defaults to 'true'
AddPort		Adds an input to the stream from a port
AddAnalog		Adds an input to the stream from an analog channel
AddCustom		Adds an input to the stream from a custom injection
AddOp		Adds an operation to act on the inputs of the stream
ClearOps		Clears all inputs and operations from the given stream
SetBuffer		Sets the contents of a snapshot stream
SetCustom		Sets one of 32 custom analog values for the group
GetSnapshot		Gets a block of the output stream with each input sample operated on, returns number of samples read
FindOutput		Searches back through the output history for a value, returns offset of found sample from TimeUS, 0 if not found
FindPeriod		Attempts to calculate the wave period given a series of transitions for the stream, returns calculated period
SetPacketFmt		Sets the graphical format of the packets added with AddPacket and Add...Packets
GetPacketFmt		Returns the graphical format of the packets added with AddPacket and Add...Packets
AddPacket		Adds an overlay packet to the stream at a given offset from the current time
AddStepPackets		Adds overlay packets to the stream by decoding the stream contents with a fixed period rate
AddSyncPackets		Adds overlay packets to the stream by decoding the stream contents with a variable period rate
ClearPackets		Clears existing overlay packets from the stream
ClearAllPackets		Clears all existing overlay packets from the stream
TicksToSecs		Converts a duration in ticks into a time in seconds
SecsToTicks		Converts a time in seconds into a duration in ticks

FloatToStorageULong		Converts a float to an array containing 4 bytes
StorageULongToFloat		Returns a float value from an unsigned long representation (used to store or transfer it)
GetFrequencyArray		Calculates the frequency from an array of data.
GetAmplitudeArray		Calculates the amplitude from an array of data.

AddText		Adds a window to the list of consoles available
AddMemory		Adds a window to the list of consoles available
GetDefault		Gets the default (read-only) console window
GetConsole		Gets a console window
GetName		Returns the name of a console
Rename		Renames the given console
SetMemMode		Sets whether to show address and bytes for the console
SetInputRGB		Sets the colour of text inserted by the user from now on
SetOutputRGB		Sets the colour of text inserted by the component from now on
WriteText		Adds a block of text to the console window
GetLineText		Reads a line of text from the given console, pass -1 for final line
SetLineText		Writes a line of text from the given console, pass -1 for final line
GetLineBytes		Reads a line of bytes from the given console extending the array if needed
SetLineBytes		Writes a line of bytes from the given console, pass -1 for final line
CountLines		Counts the number of lines in the console
ClearText		Clears all the text in the console

GetPort		Gets a ports value from its index
SetPort		Sets a ports value from its index
GetAn		Gets an analog value from its channel index
SetAn		Sets an analog value from its index, range 0->1
DecodePort		Gets a ports details from its name or index

PathName		Expands a string using the built-in pathname expansion variables
MacroName		Expands a string to the name of a macro used in the generated code
VarName		Expands a string to the name of a global variable used in the generated code
Property		Expands a string to the name of a property used in the generated code
MacroHead		Expands a macro name to the code generated for the header of that macro
MacroBody		Expands a macro name to the code generated for the body of that macro
MacroTail		Expands a macro name to the code generated for the tail of that macro

GetValue		Gets the value of the given object, if available
GetName		Gets the name of the given object
GetPath		Gets the full '.' separated name of the given object
GetSubValue		Gets the value of a named sub-item of the given object, if available
Traverse		Updates the object to step depth-first through the tree
StepNext		Updates the object to point to the next (younger) sibling
StepNamedNext		Updates the object to point to the next (younger) sibling matching the name
StepNamedIndex		Updates the object to point to the Nth next (younger) sibling matching the name
StepLast		Updates the object to point to the last (elder) sibling
StepParent		Updates the object to point to its parent object
StepRoot		Updates the object to point to the root of the tree
StepChildHead		Updates the object to point to the head (eldest) child
StepChildTail		Updates the object to point to the tail (youngest) child
StepChildPath		Updates the object to point to the '.' separated named child path
CountChildren		Returns the number of immediate children present for the object
CheckChildren		Returns true if the object has children, else false
CountNamedChildren		Returns the number of immediate children present for the object
CheckParent		Returns true if the object has a parent, else false if it is the root
StepSubHead		Updates the object to point to the head (eldest) attribute, if any
StepSubTail		Updates the object to point to the tail (youngest) attribute, if any
StepSubName		Updates the object to point to the named attribute, if any
GetCopy		Creates a copy of the handle and returns the copy

AbsPath		Gets an absolute path from a relative filename
RelPath		Gets an relative path from an absolute filename
CreateDir		Creates a directory structure
GetType		Finds the type of a file: 0=Unknown, 1=File, 2=Dir, 4=Disk
GetSize		Gets the number of bytes in the file, by handle or name
Delete		Deletes the file or directory structure
Create		Creates the new file as a standard stream
Open		Opens the existing file as a standard stream
ReadArray		Reads an array from the file, returns elements read
WriteArray		Writes an array to the file
SetPos		Sets the position of the next read or write in the file
GetPos		Gets the position of the next read or write in the file
Flush		Writes all unwritten data to the file in one block

Buffer
Open		Opens the existing file as a circular buffer
Create		Creates the new file as a circular buffer
ReadByte		Reads a single byte from the input stream, -1 if empty
WriteByte		Writes a single byte to the input stream
ReadArray		Reads an array from the input stream, returns elements read
WriteArray		Writes an array to the input stream

NVM
Open		Opens the existing file as a block of non-volatile memory
Create		Creates the new file as a block of non-volatile memory
ReadByte		Reads a single byte from the NVM, -1 if empty
WriteByte		Writes a single byte to the NVM multiple times
ReadArray		Reads an array from the NVM, returns elements read
WriteArray		Writes an array to the NVM

SimpleMsgBox		Displays a simple 'Ok' message box
Win32MsgBox		Invokes the Win32 API MessageBox function
YesNoMsgBox		Displays a simple 'Yes/No' message box
YesNoCancelMsgBox		Displays a simple 'Yes/No/Cancel' message box (0 == Cancel, 1 == No, 2 == Yes)
InputMsgBox		Displays a message box that allows the user to input text. Returns true if 'Ok' clicked, false otherwise

GetMillisecs		Returns the value of a monotonic non-decrementing millisecond counter
GetUTC		Returns the current UTC Modified Julian Date value
GetLocal		Returns the current local time as a Modified Julian Date value
AddMJD		Increments or decrements a Modified Julian Date and millisecond value
MJDToDate		Converts a Modified Julian Date into a Gregorian calendar date
DateToMJD		Converts a Gregorian calendar date into a Modified Julian Date
MJDToSeconds		Converts a Modified Julian Date into a number of seconds since a specified epoch
SecondsToMJD		Returns the Modified Julian Date given by the number of seconds since a specified epoch
MJDToWeekday		Gets the day of the week that the MJD represents
GetLeapYear		Returns true if the given year is a leap year, else false
GetMonthDays		Returns the number of days in the given month

Translate

Takes English text and optional hint and converts to the current language

Notify		Sends a System.User message to the targeted component
Forward		Sends the currently processing message to the target
MacroExists		Returns true if the macro exists
CallMacro		Calls a macro
ShowHandle		Given a handle to an object with viewable presence, shows that object on screen
CreateHandle		Creates a general-purpose garbage collected handle for resource management
SetHandleWord		Sets a general purpose word in the handle for use by its owner
GetHandleWord		Gets a general-purpose word set by the owner of a custom handle
DeleteHandle		Deletes any handle created by the component
GetSender		Gets the handle of the component that posted this event - 0 for system
TimerStart		Calls the Component.Timer event with Ident as an argument after Millisecs time
TimerStop		Kills any timers with the given ident for this component
WDTEnable		Enables or disables the software watchdog during long operations
ClaimEvent		Claims an event message by name, returns true if claimed
ReleaseEvent		Releases a previously claimed an event message by name, returns true if released
EnableEvent		Allows an event to be fired or removes the ability for an event to fire - this may be nested
ClaimMouse		Claims mouse clicks for the target object
ReleaseMouse		Releases mouse clicks for the target object
RedirectMacros		Allows calls to one of your children to be redirected to another component
StartSim		Start the simulation engine
StopSim		Stop the simulation engine
SetSimSpeed		Sets the speed the simulation engine
SetClipboardData		Sets the clipboard with text data
ReadClipboardData		Reads text data from the clipboard
GetHasFocus		Checks to see if a Flowcode window has the focus
ShellExecute		Launches an external file or program on this computer
WriteRegistryInt		Writes an integer value to the registry
WriteRegistryString		Writes a string value to the registry
ReadRegistryInt		Reads an integer value from the registry
ReadRegistryString		Reads a string value from the registry

Print		Prints out the string or value on a line in the debug window
PrintLn		Prints out the string or value with a new-line in the debug window
TestFunction		Temporary debug function

Events

CompileComponentsConsoleConnectionSimulationSystemSoundDataRecorderTooltipFileGraphicsKeyboardMouse

Preprocess		Broadcast to all components immediately before compilation is started
AddProperty		Sent to a component to allow dynamic amendment of global property declarations
AddConst		Sent to a component to allow dynamic amendment of global variable declarations
AddVarSize		Sent to a component to allow dynamic amendment of global array-size declarations
AddVar		Sent to a component to allow dynamic amendment of global constant declarations
AddHeader		Sent to a component to allow dynamic amendment of header code
AddInterrupts		Sent to a component to allow dynamic amendment of the interrupts for a component
AddInterrupt		Sent to a component to allow dynamic amendment of a single interrupts code
Start		Broadcast to all components that compilation is starting
Stop		Broadcast to all components that compilation has stopped
GetVarSize		Sent to a component to amend the size of the expected array
HtmlBodyInfo		Sent to a component to retrieve tags to be placed in the html body
HtmlScriptHeader		Sent to a component to retrieve script code to be placed in the html header section

PropertyEx		Sent when a property has been changed by the User (specific property and value identified)
Property		Sent when a property has been changed by the User
ProjectClosedown		Sent to the component when the project is closing
Added		Broadcast to all existing components once a new component has been added
Adding		Broadcast to all existing components when a new component is about to be added
Resize		Sent to the mouse target when the user has altered the position of a component child
Removed		Broadcast to all remaining components after a component has been removed
Removing		Broadcast to all existing components when a component is about to be removed
Renamed		Sent to the component when the component is renamed
Deleted		Closedown routine for the component
Deleting		Send to a component when it is being deleted
Initialise		Initialisation routine for the component once the component is linked to its parent
Initialising		Initialisation routine before the component is linked to its parent

AddLine		Post to the owning component when a line is inserted by the user
TextChanged		Post when the console text is changed by the user in some way
MemChanged		Post when the console memory is changed by the user in some way

PinPopulate		Sent when auto-populate of digital connections is requested
PinChange		Sent during simulation if a connected port pin changes
AnPopulate		Sent when auto-populate of analog connections is requested
AnChange		Sent during simulation if a connected ADC channel changes
ChipChange		Sent when the target device has changed
Unconnected		Sent when the component is compiled with unconnected pins
FCDChange		Sent when some settings of the target device have changed

Pause		Broadcast to all components that simulation has paused
Resume		Broadcast to all components that simulation has resumed
Start		Broadcast to all components that simulation is starting
Stop		Broadcast to all components that simulation has stopped

CleanHandle		Called when a custom handle is deleted to allow cleanup of resources
Timer		Called back on the panel command System.TimerStart
User		Called back on the panel command System.Notify
LoadComplete		Broadcast after a project has finished loading

Complete

Sent when a sound queued by the component has finished playing

ResyncPacket		Sent when Packet_ResyncEv is specified in scope decoding
Decode		Sent when a block of the stream is to be decoded into packets
FmtPacket		Sent when a %e is read in a format string when decoding a packet
Overlay		Sent when the mouse hovers over a scope stream

GraphicPoll		Called when a tooltip graphic is updating with the draw image already pushed
GetText		Called when a tooltip text string can be displayed
GetGraphic		Called when a tooltip graphic can be displayed with the draw image already pushed

Changed		Sent when a file being watched has changed
Closed		Sent when a file monitor is being closed

Animated		Notification than an animation has finished
Background		Updates the background container of the 2d panel
Redraw		Reconstructs and redraws the target component

ButtonName		Sent to give a meaningful name to a button on a simulated mouse-click
KeyMapDown		Post when a mapped key is pressed for the component
KeyMapUp		Post when a mapped key is released for the component
MappingKeys		Sent to find out how many keys it is possible to map to the component during simulation
MappingName		Sent to give a meaningful name to a custom key-map event for a component

Release		Post when the mouse is released on a child of the component during simulation
Click		Post when the mouse is clicked on a child of the component during simulation
Drag		Post when the mouse is dragged on a child of the component during simulation