# IBM Visualization Data Explorer User's Reference

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### Receiver

Category

Special

Function

Receives an object from a Transmitter.

Syntax

Available only through the user interface.

Outputs

Name | Type | Description
--- | --- | ---
`object` | object | the object received

Functional Details

To maintain the modularity and readability of large programs, Data Explorer provides two tools that allow connections between input and output tabs of separate modules without the use of a visible connecting line. These tools, Transmitter and Receiver, allow you to separate visual programs into logical blocks. For example, the output of several logical blocks can be transmitted to another block that receives them, collects them, and produces an image.

Receivers and Transmitters can also be used to communicate information between pages in the Visual Program Editor (see "Creating pages in the VPE" in IBM Visualization Data Explorer User's Guide). Pages are a valuable way of structuring complex visual programs into logical blocks.

Note: Macros provide another way of structuring visual programs in logical blocks (see 7.2 , "Creating and Using Macros" in IBM Visualization Data Explorer User's Guide).

To remotely connect input and output tabs:

1. Select a Transmitter tool (in the Special category in the tool palette) and place it near the output tab of the module that is to be "connected."

2. Connect the module's output tab to the Transmitter's input tab.

3. Select a Receiver tool (also in the Special category), and place it near the input tab of the other module that is to be "connected."

4. Connect the Receiver's output tab to the second module's input tab.

   The Transmitter and Receiver are now connected.

The Receiver automatically assumes the same name as the Transmitter. More than one Receiver can be connected to a single Transmitter and they assume the same name until a new Transmitter is placed on the VPE canvas.

Notes:

1. To change the name of a Transmitter and Receiver, use the `Notation` field of the appropriate configuration dialog box (see "Entering Values in a Configuration Dialog Box" in IBM Visualization Data Explorer User's Guide). Changing the name of a Transmitter changes the name of all the Receivers connected to it. Changing the name of a Receiver affects only that receiver.

2. For more information see "Using Transmitters and Receivers" in IBM Visualization Data Explorer User's Guide.

Example Visual Programs

Many of the example visual programs use receivers and transmitters, including:

    AlternateVisualizations.net
    Imide_potential.net

See Also Transmitter

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