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Background Thread Processing

Multitasking operating systems offer the means to simultaneously carry out different computational procedures. When available, TableCurve 2D makes full use of this multithreading environment. One of the principal applications for multithreading is to have TableCurve 2D's automated fitting occurring on one thread, while other program operations are occurring.

Preselected Equations for Thread Fitting

When background thread fitting is enabled, TableCurve 2D initiates a preselected type of fitting the moment data are loaded or revised by a procedure such as smoothing or FFT editing. Thus, while in light CPU tasks such as entering titles or viewing data, Tablecurve 2D can be processing the data in the background, often having the Review ready by the time you return to the main menu. This option is primarily of use when fitting many similar data sets or if you use one specific fitting option for your fitting.

Thread Fitting Options

The Background Thread Processing dialog offers the following options:

The fitting that occurs via a background thread is numerically identical to that which would occur if the fit option had been selected from the Process menu using the current settings for the applicable fit controls. Since the background thread is a pure numeric process without the overhead of a messaging queue and a graphical update, its processing times are very rapid when the CPU demand is light.

Thread Fitting in Progress Indicators

Generate/HELP29.gif When you are back at the menu of TableCurve 2D's main window, the light bulb button in the tool bar reflects the status of the background thread fitting. Unlike the other tool bar buttons, this light bulb button is purely informational. When fitting is underway, but not yet complete, this bulb is lit. Once the fitting is completed, the bulb goes out. If the fitting is already completed prior to your return to the main menu, this bulb will not be lit, but the two buttons for starting the Review will be active, indicating a successful background fit.

The status window graph also reflecst the current state of the background thread fitting. If the fitting is complete when you return to the main menu, this graph will plot the highest ranked equation of those added during the fitting. If the background thread fitting is not complete, the graph will first show the raw data and then change to the highest ranked equation once the fitting has been completed.

When the Audible Signal when Processing Complete option is checked, TableCurve 2D produces an audible signal on the computer's speaker when the background thread fitting is complete.

Automatic Start of Review

The Automatically Start Review when Processing Complete option, when checked, results in TableCurve 2D automatically launching the Review when the background fitting is complete and you have returned to the main menu. If the fitting is complete when you return to the main menu, TableCurve 2D will skip the status window update and proceed to directly open the Curve-Fit Review with the option last used to begin such. If the fitting is still in progress when you return to the main menu, the status window graph will initially reflect the raw data and the light bulb button in the tool bar will be lit Once the fitting is completed, the light bulb button will go out and the Review will be automatically started.

Cancellation of Background Thread Fitting

Any of the Process menu's fitting options cancel the background thread fitting, even if you select the very fitting option that is underway. Any operation which alters the data table in any way will also cancel the background thread fitting, although the fitting will be automatically resumed when it is appropriate. For example, the background thread fitting is discarded when you enter the smoothing procedure, and it is reinitiated once you have accepted the result of the smoothing.

Some Things to Do While Background Thread Fitting is in Progress

Here are some suggestions as to what you can do while TableCurve 2D is fitting data on a background thread:

  • Enter accurate titles either following the import or edit procedure, or using the Titles option in the Table menu.
  • View the data graphically to inspect for outliers. The background fit is only halted and reinitiated if you section a range of data or toggle a point on or off.
  • Open the TableCurve Editor or ASCII Editor to view imported data numerically. The background fit is only halted and reinitiated if you alter the data.
  • Save the data table if it is appropriate.
  • Explore TableCurve 2D features via the help system.
  • Work within any other application.