MechanismStandard

action · count · get · in · name · out · panel · save · set

MechanismStandard (Parameter Control)

class MechanismStandard

Syntax:

ms = h.MechanismStandard(name_str)
ms = h.MechanismStandard(name_str, vartype)

Description:

With no vartype or vartype = 1, this provides storage for parameter values of a membrane mechanism or point process. This class is useful in maintaining a default set of parameters and can be used to specify values for a set of sections.

name_str is a density mechanism such as hh or a point process such as VClamp. A MechanismStandard instance, when created, contains default values for all parameters associated with the mechanism.

In combination with the MechanismType class it is possible to create generic graphical interface widgets that are independent of the particular mechanism and parameter names.

If vartype = 1, 2, or 3, the storage is for PARAMETER, ASSIGNED, or STATE variables respectively. If vartype = 0, the storage is for all three types.

If vartype = -1, the count and names (and array size) of the GLOBAL variables are accessible, but any other method will generate an error message.

Example:

from neuron import h, gui
ms1 = h.MechanismStandard('hh')
ms2 = h.MechanismStandard('AlphaSynapse')
ms2.set('gmax', 0.3)
ms1.panel()
ms2.panel()

objref ms1, ms2
ms1 = new MechanismStandard("hh")
ms2 = new MechanismStandard("AlphaSynapse")
ms2.set("gmax", .3)
ms1.panel()
ms2.panel()

The following example prints all the names associated with POINT_PROCESS and SUFFIX mechanisms.

from neuron import h, gui

soma = h.Section()
def pname(msname):
    s = h.ref('')
    for i in xrange(-1, 4):
        ms = h.MechanismStandard(msname, i)
        print '\n', msname, '  vartype=%d' % i
        for j in xrange(int(ms.count())):
            k = ms.name(s, j)
            print '%-5d %-20s size=%d' % (j, s[0], k)

def ptype():
    msname = h.ref('')
    for i in xrange(2):
        mt = h.MechanismType(i)
        for j in xrange(int(mt.count())):
            mt.select(j)
            mt.selected(msname)
            print '\n\n', msname[0], ' mechanismtype=%d' % j
            pname(msname[0])

ptype()

See also

MechanismType

---

MechanismStandard.panel()

Syntax:

ms.panel()
ms.panel("string")

Description:

Popup a panel of parameters for this mechanism. It's a good idea to set the default values before generating the panel.

With no argument the first item in the panel will be the name of the mechanism. Otherwise the string is used as the first item label.

See also

nrnglobalmechmenu(), nrnmechmenu(), nrnpointmenu()

---

MechanismStandard.action()

Syntax:

ms.action("hoc_command")

Description:

action to be executed when any variable is changed in the panel. The hoc variable hoc_ac_ is set to the index of the variable (0 to count-1).

Warning

Currently only takes a HOC string and does not work with a Python callable.

---

MechanismStandard.in()

Syntax:

ms.in()
ms.in(x)
ms.in(pointprocess)
ms.in(mechanismstandard)

Description:

copies parameter values into this mechanism standard from ...

ms.in()

the mechanism located in first segment of the currently accessed section.

ms.in(x)

the mechanism located in the segment containing x of the currently accessed section. (Note that x=0 and 1 are considered to lie in the 0+ and 1- segments respectively so a proper iteration uses for(x, 0). See for.

ms.in(pointprocess)

the point process object

ms.in(mechanismstandard)

another mechanism standard

If the source is not the same type as the standard then nothing happens.

---

MechanismStandard.out()

Syntax:

ms.out()
ms.out(x)
ms.out(pointprocess)
ms.out(mechanismstandard)

Description:

copies parameter values from this mechanism standard to ...

ms.out()

the mechanism located in the currently accessed section (all segments).

ms.out(x)

the mechanism located in the currently accessed section in the segment containing x.(Note that x=0 and 1 are considered to lie in the 0+ and 1- segments respectively)

ms.out(pointprocess)

the point process argument

ms.out(mechanismstandard)

another mechanism standard

If the target is not the same type as the standard then nothing happens.

---

MechanismStandard.set()

Syntax:

ms.set('varname', val [, arrayindex])

Description:

sets the parameter in the standard to val. If the variable is an array, then the optional index can be specified.

---

MechanismStandard.get()

Syntax:

val = ms.get('varname' [, arrayindex])

Description:

returns the value of the parameter. If the variable is actually a POINTER and it is nil, then return -1e300.

---

MechanismStandard.save()

Syntax:

ms.save('name')

Description:

For saving the state of a MechanismStandard to a session file. The name will be the objectvar that the instance gets assigned to when the session file is read. See pointman.hoc for an example of usage.

---

MechanismStandard.count()

Syntax:

cnt = ms.count()

Description:

Returns the number of parameter names of the mechanism represented by the MechanismStandard.

---

MechanismStandard.name()

Syntax:

ms.name(strref)
size = ms.name(strref, i)

Description:

The single arg form assigns the name of the mechanism to the strref variable.

When the i parameter is present (i ranges from 0 to ms.count()-1) the strref parameter gets assigned the ith name of the mechanism represented by the MechanismStandard. In addition the return value is the array size of that parameter (1 for a scalar).

Example:

from neuron import h, gui

ms = h.MechanismStandard('hh')
name_strref = h.ref('')

# read the name of the mechanism
ms.name(name_strref)

print name_strref[0]    # displays: hh