Basics
Introduction:
In the remaining chapters I assume that you have successfully compiled Funiter, or downloaded a pre-compiled version. If not, please refer to Introduction: Building Funiter for more information on how to compile Funiter, or the download page to obtain a pre-compiled version.
Funiter works with experiments, each experiment is a function (like "x -> x² + c") with it's own set of parameters and settings. On top of this you can select whether you want to use real or complex functions.
Using the menu:
The menu's in Funiter are text-oriented. This type of user-interface might not be what you expect from a modern application, but it certainly has its advantages as you will see later.
A menu usually consists of:
- A caption (the title).
- The menu items.
- A list with available keys.
You can browse through the list of items with the <Cursor Up> and <Cursor Down> keys, and select an item with <Enter>.
With <Esc> you can go back to the previous menu, with <Enter> you can proceed to the next one (and confirm changes). The parameter menu is an exception to this rule: you can only exit it with the <Esc> key.
Key | Description |
---|---|
<Cursor Up>: | Move one item up |
<Cursor Down>: | Move one item down |
<Enter>: | Select menu item *) |
<Esc>: | To previous menu |
*) Please note: if the item-selector is on an edit field, you don't have to use the <Enter> key because such an item is automatically selected.
There are several types of menu-items:
- Items that lead to another screen (menu, or graph) are followed by a '>'.
- Radio-button items or edit fields are followed by a colon ':'. The value of an edit field is surrounded by brackets '[' and ']'.
An edit field doesn't accept characters that don't match the type. For example, typing 'a' where an integer is expected, has no effect.
When you go back to the main menu, you might notice that the cursor is on the next item instead of the one you selected. The main menu is like a wizard that informs you of the most logical step to take after selecting a certain item. Of course, you are free to override and move the cursor to another item. This doesn't apply to
and items following (excluding the two items that are visible when is selected).Main menu:
- This item has two possible values, which causes Funiter to work with real functions, and which is for the complex functions.
- Select a graph.
- Allows you to select the function you want to study. Functions are the top-level in Funiter, each function has it's own group of parameters.
- Change function specific parameters.
- Draws the graph (after you confirmed the parameters).
- This item allows you to switch between and mode. In the advanced mode there are two extra options visible in the main menu.
- Change certain (layout) settings like colors and parameter-connections.
- Load and save files (parameters and graphics).
- Some information regarding Funiter.
- Exit the program.