Using the LabVIEW Dashboard with C++/Java Code

The default LabVIEW Dashboard utilizes Network Tables to pass values and is therefore compatible with C++ and Java robot programs. This article covers the keys and value ranges to use to work with the Dashboard.

Drive Tab

Most of the indicators on the Drive tab utilize arrays.

Basic Tab

The Basic tab uses a number of keys in the a “DB” sub-table to send/receive Dashboard data. The LED’s are output only, the other fields are all bi-directional (send or receive).

Labels

The labels are currently sent as an array. C++ and Java SmartDashboard classes do not currently support sending arrays.

Strings

The strings are labeled top-to-bottom, left-to-right from “DB/String 0” to “DB/String 9”. Each String field can display at least 21 characters (exact number depends on what characters). To write to these strings:

Java

C++

SmartDashboard.putString("DB/String 0", "My 21 Char TestString");

SmartDashboard::PutString("DB/String 0", "My 21 Char TestString");

To read string data entered on the Dashboard:

Java

C++

String dashData = SmartDashboard.getString("DB/String 0", "myDefaultData");

std::string dashData = SmartDashboard::GetString("DB/String 0", "myDefaultData");

Buttons and LEDs

The Buttons and LEDs are boolean values and are labeled top-to-bottom from “DB/Button 0” to “DB/Button 3” and “DB/LED 0” to “DB/LED 3”. The Buttons are bi-directional, the LEDs are only able to be written from the Robot and read on the Dashboard. To write to the Buttons or LEDs:

Java

C++

SmartDashboard.putBoolean("DB/Button 0", true);

SmartDashboard::PutBoolean("DB/Button 0", true);

To read from the Buttons: (default value is false)

Java

C++

boolean buttonValue = SmartDashboard.getBoolean("DB/Button 0", false);

bool buttonValue = SmartDashboard::GetBoolean("DB/Button 0", false);

Sliders

The Sliders are bi-directional analog (double) controls/indicators with a range from 0 to 5. To write to these indicators:

Java

C++

SmartDashboard.putNumber("DB/Slider 0", 2.58);

SmartDashboard::PutNumber("DB/Slider 0", 2.58);

To read values from the Dashboard into the robot program: (default value of 0.0)

Java

C++

double dashData = SmartDashboard.getNumber("DB/Slider 0", 0.0);

double dashData = SmartDashboard::GetNumber("DB/Slider 0", 0.0);