How to add method blocks

Two ways to add method blocks

You can add method blocks to a method in two ways, using either

  • the Instruction box of the Text Instructions editor,

or

  • the New Block dialog box reached via the New Block icon.

Both these alternatives are described below.

How to add blocks with the Instruction box

The table below describes how to add blocks with the Instruction box:

Step

Action

1

In the Text pane of the Text Instructions editor, select the instruction or block that you want to precede the new block.

2

Select Other:Block in the Instruction box.

3

  • Enter a name for the block in the Block field.

  • Click the Insert button.

Result: The block is inserted after the block that was selected in step 1.

The New Block dialog box

The illustration below shows the New Block dialog box that can be used when adding new method blocks:

How to add blocks with the New Block dialog box

The table below describes how to add blocks with the menu options of the New Block dialog box:

Step

Action

1

Choose Block:New in the Method Editor

or

click the New Block icon.

Result: The New Block dialog box is displayed.

2

Enter the relevant information in the New Block dialog box, and click OK.

Result: The new block is added to the method, and placed last of all blocks.

Note: The block can be placed in other positions by selecting something other than Main in the From droplist.

The fields of the New Block dialog box

The table below describes the fields of the New Block dialog box:

Field

Description

Name

Block names can be up to 30 characters long, and can contain letters (A-Z), digits (0-9) and the underscore character.

Block names must be unique within the method. The case of letters is retained but not significant (the names Start_Frac and START_FRAC are treated as identical).

Base

One of the following options can be selected:

  • SameAsMain: the new block will inherit the base from the Main block in the method. The corresponding Base instruction will be inserted in the block at breakpoint 0.

  • Time: The block will be based on time.

  • Volume: The block will be based on volume.

  • Column volume: The block will be based on column volume.

Length

A block continues until the breakpoint for the End_Block instruction has been reached.

An End_Block instruction will automatically be inserted in the block at the defined breakpoint. This field must not be left blank.

Call

You can call the new block from an existing block (for example the Main block).

Select values in the two fields:

  • From

    The block from which the newly created block should be called.

  • At

    The breakpoint at which the call is to be made.

If you do not want to call the block (for example when the block being created is to be activated by a Watch instruction), choose the <Unused> line from the From drop-down list. Blocks using this line are placed last in the method in the Unused category.

Note: You should not call a block from within itself. If you do, you will generate a potentially infinite loop that exceeds the maximum number of calls allowed in a method. A loop symbol is displayed at the beginning of the line if this occurs.

2005-06-15