| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Active file | The file that is in view in the tab area, if any. A file is made active by clicking its tab. |
| Block | A building block for schematics, for example an input port, an adder or a user block. When there is no risk for confusion, "block" will also refer to a block instance. |
| Block instance | An instance of a block in a schematic. For example, there may be several instances of the block Add in a schematic. |
| Blocks tree | A tree containing all available blocks for use in the schematic editor, available under the Blocks tab in the tree view in the left part of the main window. |
| Causality loop | A set of blocks that are connected in a loop without any delay (Pre) block. Causality loops are illegal in RTflow and will generate a compiler error. |
| Command | A function in RTflow that can be invoked by the user through a menu, a toolbar button or a keyboard shortcut. |
| Connection | A connection between port instances in a schematic. A connection specifies that all input and output ports that the connection is attached to have the same value at each cycle. |
| Constant | An input whose value is a constant value specified at design/compile time for each instance. In a schematic, the user specifies the value in editable fields directly in the block, or in the block instance properties window. For example, the primitive block Gain has a constant specifying the amount of gain. |
| Cycle | A discrete time step, also called execution cycle or instant. During the execution of a model, all signals are updated exactly once per cycle. |
| Element | See Schematic element. |
| Equation | A subnode or the usage of a primitive function within a node. Each block instance corresponds to an equation with the same name. |
| Execution cycle | See cycle. |
| Frame | An add-on of graphics to schematics, typically used to enhance the appearance of a printed schematic. |
| Graph area | The right part of the simulator view, showing graph plots of signals values over time. |
| Instance | See Block instance. |
| Joint view | A display mode of the graph area, where several graphs are displayed in one common coordinate system. |
| Main window | The main application window that opens when RTflow starts, and that contains the menu, the tree view, the tab area and the message view. |
| Node | The function of a non-primitive block. Each schematic corresponds to a node with the same name. |
| Primitive block | A block whose function is hard-coded in RTflow, as opposed to a standard block or a user block, whose functions are defined in schematics or other source files. The Add block is an example of a primitive block. |
| Project | A set of source files and settings for simulation, code generation et c for these source files. |
| Project tree | A visualization of the set of source file, available under the Project tab in the tree view in the left part of the main window. |
| Port | An input or output of a block or a schematic. When there is no risk for confusion, "port" will also refer to port instance. |
| Port instance | A port on a block instance in a schematic, symbolized by a small line on the edge of the block instance. Port instances are the endpoints of connections. |
| Sample time | The real time duration of one execution cycle. |
| Schematic | A sheet containing blocks, connections and other graphical elements that define the behavior of a system or a sub-component of the system. |
| Schematic element | A block instance or a connection. |
| Signal | The bearer of a value that changes with time during simulation or execution. This is the same as a variable in many other programming languages. Each connection in a schematic corresponds to a signal with the same name. |
| Signal area | The left part of the simulator view, showing signal names, values and other signal attributes in a table. |
| Simulator view | The view that opens under the Simulator tab when the simulator is started. It consists of the signal area, the graph area and a toolbar. |
| Source file | A file that is part of the project and that can be compiled. In the current version of RTflow, schematic files are the only source files. |
| Split view | A display mode of the graph area, where each graph is displayed in an individual row. |
| Subnode | The instance of a node within another node. Each non-primitive block instance corresponds to a subnode with the same name. |
| Standard block | A block whose function is defined in a source file that is delivered with RTflow, for example the Integral block. |
| Symbol | The graphical representation of a block. |
| Tab area | The main area of the application window where the source file editors and the simulator open. |
| Tree view | The left part of the main window, showing either the project tree or the blocks tree. |
| User block | A block whose function is defined in a source file not delivered with RTflow. Typically these blocks have been compiled from source files in the user's project. |