How to view method blocks

To view a method as a long list of individual text instructions can be confusing and inconvenient. Text instructions can therefore be grouped into blocks of instructions that define a specific functional use. For example, one block might contain the instructions necessary to equilibrate a column, and another block contains instructions to load a sample, etc.

In the Text pane of the Method Editor, the method is shown as a list of blocks, denoted by the blue square symbols. Note that a block can also contain sub-blocks.

The figure below shows the text instructions in blocks:

The table below describes how to view or hide the instructions:

The organization of blocks in the method is shown graphically in the Block pane of the Method Editor.

Description

Each block is represented by a gray bar with the block name and the length of the block. The line is shifted down to indicate calls to other blocks.

Click on the line that represents a block in the Block window to expand the block in the Text pane and select the first instruction in the block.

Figure

The figure below is an example with a Watch instruction to start the fraction collector which is active throughout the gradient elution block. Loop (to repeat a group of instructions) and Hold_until instructions are also indicated in the Block pane.

Blocks are represented in the Gradient pane of the Method Editor by marks on the X-axis. The marks show the length of each block. The name of the block in which the cursor line is currently placed is shown at the top of the pane.

The figure below describes the Gradient pane: