DataCollector

collects Data with timestamps

Inherits from:: Object

DataCollector collects data with timestamps, as it is added to the collection. It provides backup mechanism to recover from stored data. The data can be used for realtime or offline analysis in the same or in a later session. inspired by MemoryRecorder developed by Alberto de Campo and Marije Baalman for the Institute of Predictive Sonobotanics (www.sonobotanics.org)

Creation / Class Methods

*new(name,collection)

Creates a new data collector with the name. collection is an optional argument and can be from another DataCollector, the elements of which are then added to the new one.

*fromFile(path)

Load a stored DataCollector from file

*makeBackupFolder

creates the backup folder in the working directory for stored DataCollectors. This is called from *initClass.

*folder_

Set the folder which will be used for backups

*folder

The folder which will be used for backups.

*makeList

create a SortedList sorted by date

Accessing Instance and Class Variables

addData(data,date,overwrite)

Add data to the collection

data

The data to be added.

date

The time stamp of the data. If non is given, one is created.

overwrite

Overwrite a previous entry with the same datestamp. Default is true.

addMetaData(mdata,date)

Add metadata to the collection. This can be for example higher level data or a comment.

date

The time stamp

mdata

The metadata to add

getLast(howmany)

Get the last howmany entries from the collection

backup

Create a backup in the backup folder.

recover

Recover the last saved backup with the same name.

printAll

Print all data in the collector

at(index)

Access an trace in the collection by index

name

Name of the collector.

name_

Set the name for this DataCollector

collection

A SortedList sorted by date

collection_

Set the SortedList

addTrace(trace,overwrite)

Adds a trace of data to the collection. Called by addData or addMetaData

storeArgs

This is what is stored in the file.

saveTo(path)

Save the DataCollector to file.

lastBackupPath

Finds the most recently saved backup.

Example 1

// create a new DataCollector:
d = DataCollector.new( "test" );
d.collection; // empty sorted list

d.addData( [1,2,3] );
d.collection // now we have one entry with data in it and a timestamp
   
d.addMetaData( [5,6,7], d.collection.first[\date] ); // add some metadata to it
d.collection

d.addData( [3,4.5,6] );
d.collection

// create a backup:
d.backup

// create a new collector:
e = DataCollector.new( "test" );

// recover from the backup
e.recover

// we have the same data again:
e.collection;

This helpfile was created with the class HelpFile2