How to execute 2 functions simultaneously in the same loop on a GUI

I have a program that uses DAQ to generate signals. I have a timer that runs between a specific range. But I want the timer to keep running even if the signal is generating. What I mean, is that the code that generates the signal has its own time... So when the period of generation is done, my timer restarts where it was.

Example: while(something) time = time + 1; pause(1);

if time == 1 generate signal code (for 5 seconds); end; end;

after generating is finished, time = 2, =3, etc. But I want time to keep running while generating signal.

Any idea? should I use global, persistent variable for time?

[Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh]

Hi Adam,

What does this have to do with a persistent variable? If you're leaving a function and returning back to it and you don't want to lose the previous data you can use persistent.

I don't quite understand your problem at this point. Could you explain more maybe someone will be give you an advice.

BTW, is time an internal MATLAB command? or you defined it as a variable?! I think it is a reserved name.

Thanks

[Adam Taher]

Hi,

My code is something like: (i'm using GUI)

handles.time = 0;

while(something)

handles.time = handles.time + 1; pause(1); % this will make my counter increment every 1 second.

if handles.time == 5

display('generating');

Generation signal code over here (this code has its own period of time)

end; end;

So what happens is when time == 5, the generation code executes, but my handles.time stops counting, it doesn't keep running, which I understand why. It restarts counting AFTER that the generation code finishes. But what I want, is that handles.time is able to keep running WHILE the generation code is executing.

So I was wondering if there is a function that could help.

[Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh]

Ok Adam, that's a bit better now!

Generally that's not a good way of keeping the track of time. you can make the while loop running. you can either make a timer object, or even make it easier and use tic toc commands

tic 
toc

and check the elapsed time, please refer to MATLAB help for further info about tic toc.

Anyhow, tic toc will keep the track of time for you while another code is running ;)

Good luck!

Answer 1

[Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh]

Ok Adam, that's a bit better now!

Generally that's not a good way of keeping the track of time. you can make the while loop running. you can either make a timer object, or even make it easier and use tic toc commands

tic 
toc

and check the elapsed time, please refer to MATLAB help for further info about tic toc.

Anyhow, tic toc will keep the track of time for you while another code is running ;)

Good luck!

[Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh]

BTY you can't use

if toc == 5

you probably have to go with

if toc >= 5