Your first run

Create channels, write data to them with Arc, plot the data, and record a range.

This tutorial shows the main parts of Synnax without hardware. You create two channels, write a changing value to them with an Arc automation, plot the value, and record a range. It takes about ten minutes.

You need Synnax Desktop, or the Synnax Console connected to a Synnax Core. To choose one, see Synnax editions. Use any project. To start with an empty one, run the “Create project” command.

Most steps run a command from the command palette. To open it, press Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on macOS).

Step 1Create the channels

A channel stores one stream of time-ordered values. Each value has a timestamp, which Synnax keeps in an index channel. You create an index channel first, then a data channel that uses it.

Run the “Create channel” command.
Enter the name ramp_time, and turn on Is index.
Select Create.
Run the “Create channel” command again.
Enter the name ramp. Set Data type to float64 and Index to ramp_time.
Select Create.

Step 2Write data with Arc

Arc is the Synnax language for automations. The automation below adds one to a value every 100 milliseconds and writes it to ramp. When the value gets to 100, it goes back to 0.

Run the “Create Arc automation” command.
Enter the name Ramp, select Text as the editor mode, and select Create.
Copy this program into the editor:
```
import time

func step() {
    value f64 $= 0
    value += 1
    if value > 100 {
        value = 0
    }
    ramp = value
}

time.interval{period=100ms} -> step{}
```
- time.interval{period=100ms} runs step ten times each second. See time.
- value f64 $= 0 makes a stateful variable. It keeps its value from one run of step to the next.
- ramp = value writes the value to the ramp channel. Synnax writes the timestamp to ramp_time.
In the bar at the bottom of the editor, select Node 1 from the Driver list. This entry runs the automation inside the Core.
Select the start button.

The automation is now running. To stop it, select the stop button.

Step 3Plot the data

Run the “Create line plot” command.
Select the component button in the bottom-left corner, or press V, to open the component toolbar.
In Y1, select ramp.
Check that Ranges shows Rolling 30s. If it shows a different range, remove that range and select Rolling 30s.

The plot shows a line that climbs from 0 to 100 every ten seconds. For more about plots, see line plots.

Step 4Record a range

A range marks a span of time, such as a test. You use it to find and compare data later.

Hold Alt (Option on macOS) and drag a box across part of the plot.
Right-click the box and select Create range from selection.
Enter the name First run, and select Save to Core.

The range is now in the ranges toolbar. To see its data again, right-click the range in the toolbar and select Add to new plot. Then add ramp to Y1 of the new plot.

ramp stores its data, so you can see the range after you stop the automation. A virtual channel stores no data, so a range on it would show nothing.

Next steps

Channels -> learn about data types, index channels, and calculated channels.
Hardware -> connect a LabJack, NI, Modbus, OPC UA, or other device.
Visualize -> build line plots, schematics, tables, and logs.
Ranges -> add metadata and labels to ranges, and export their data.
Control -> operate hardware by hand, or automate it with Arc.
Alarms -> watch your data with statuses and redlines.

Sample project

UI overview