Autocoded function for invoking all connected input and output ports

[Jmb5501]

Affected Component	All user-define components

---

Feature Description

It would be incredibly helpful for developers to have access to an autocoded function in each component's base class that invokes all connected input and output ports. I think the function could look like the following for output ports:

void ComponentBase::invokeAll<port>()
{
    // Loop through all connected output ports and invoke them
    for (unsigned int ii= 0; port < NUM_<port>_OUTPUT_PORTS; ii++)
    {
        if (true == this->isConnected_<port>_OutputPort(ii))
        {
            this-><port>_out(ii);
        }
    }
}

Rationale

This would streamline a developer's code and reduce the amount of copy-pasting of code templates that is needed with the current version of Fprime. This seems like a very simple thing that could be developed.

[thomas-bc]

Ports may need different arguments so I'm not sure how you would resolve that.

Could you elaborate on your use case?

You can always handcode that invokeAll() helper function and use it at will, configuring yourself which ports get invoked and what parameters to use.

[LeStarch]

I think this is meant for port arrays, where you might want to broadcast out to all connected ports. e.g.

broadcast_modeChange_out(Mode new_mode) {
    for ....
} 

It is an interesting idea. It does add more autocode, but reduces hand-written code in key circumstances.

[matt392code]

port-invoke-helper.txt
Let's analyze this request for an autocoded port invocation helper. The concept needs to handle several cases:

This solution provides:

1. Template-based Port Invocation

• Handles any port type
• Supports variable arguments
• Type-safe parameter passing

2. Two Invocation Modes

// Simple broadcast
invokeAll(component, numPorts, portInvoker, args...)

// With status collection
invokeAllWithStatus(component, numPorts, portInvoker, statuses, args...)

3. Safety Features

• Connection checking
• Port range validation
• Status collection option

4. Usage Example for Autocode Generation:

// In component FPP
array ModeOut[3]
array CmdOut[5]

// Generated helper methods
void broadcastMode_out(const Mode& mode);
void broadcastCommand_out(const CmdPacket& cmd, 
                         Fw::SerializeableVector<ReturnStatus>& statuses);