3.2.5. Sample Inspector

Sample Inspector

The Sample Inspector provides the full structure and current value of a sample, based on the selected entity. Two kind of entities can be selected: an instance (e.g., from the Instance Table), or a static sample (e.g., from the Sample Log).

  • If the selection is an instance, the value column will automatically be updated with the latest value of the instance.

  • If the selection is a static sample, the value will not be updated, and the Sample Inspector will show the content of the selected sample.

The Instance Table and Sample Log are referred to as sample providers. Each of these tables provides a mechanism to select a sample, which will then “drive” the Sample Inspector to display that sample’s data (and sample info).

3.2.5.1. Toolbar Actions

  • ICON_CONNECTED Link with selection: When pressed (the default), the Sample Inspector will switch to the newly selected sample provider when you select a new sample provider (such as the Instance Table or Sample Log).

    Tip

    This feature can be used to “freeze” the display of interesting data. Another Sample Inspector could then be created and populated with data from a later or different sample provider and then compared to this one.

  • ICON_PAUSE Pause UI updating: Pause/Resume live display updates. If a new sample provider is selected, the display will update to show that data, but live updates will still be paused. Data is still being received in the background, regardless of the state of this button.

  • ICON_EXPORT_TO_FILE Export Sample Data to file: Opens a file dialog and exports the sample data and SampleInfo fields into a text file.

  • ICON_TREE_EXPAND Expand Structural Fields: Expands fields that are structures. Array fields will not be expanded.

  • ICON_TREE_COLLAPSE Collapse the tree: Collapses all expanded fields.

  • ICON_CLEAN_UP Clear Contents: Disconnects the Sample Inspector from the sample provider.

3.2.5.2. Context Menu Actions

The following context menu actions are only available for an instance sample provider. Some of these actions are available for multiple selections.

  • ICON_UNSUBSCRIBE Unsubscribe: Unsubscribes from the Topic.

  • ICON_VISUALIZE_16 Visualize: Visualizes the selected fields in a new data visualization view.

  • ICON_ADD_TO_VIZ Add to existing view: Adds the selected fields to an existing data visualization view. Note that this item is only available if there are already data visualization views open.

  • ICON_SUBSCRIPTION_PROPERTIES Subscription Properties: Opens the subscription properties dialog.

3.2.5.3. Drag & Drop

You can add one or multiple selected fields to an existing data visualization view by using drag-and-drop. The data visualization view that receives the drop will react corresponding to the dropped field’s type and definition. For example, the Sample Log view will only get the Topic info from the dropped fields and only add the same Topic once. The Time Chart view will ignore non-numeric fields and the same fields can be added more than once.