8.2. Block Diagram

8.2.1. General Layout Standards

• Make diagrams as compact as possible while still having a visible flow.

• Don't cram your block diagram.

• Enforce Sequences. Don't leave structures floating. As well as looking bad it can lead to inconsistencies in the program.

• Place any terminals that have no wiring in the first structure of the diagram. They can look like mistakes if left floating.

• Try and keep the overall size of the diagram to one page of your screen. If it's bigger, try and keep 1 page wide or 1 page deep so that you only need to scroll in one direction. A page can be whatever your standard screen resolution is; we try to keep it to 1,280 by 1,024 pixels.

8.2.2. Wiring Standards

• Use left to right data flow. Resist the temptation to stick data into structures from the top or bottom.

• Wires should only overlap if there is no alternative.

• Keep wires as straight as possible.

• Never route wires through an icon to a terminal on the other side of the icon.

• Never route wires underneath structures or icons.

• Don't use local variables just to avoid long wires! Every local variable that reads the data makes a copy of it.

• Reduce the number of zigzags by aligning inputs and outputs. Use the cursor keys to take kinks out of your wires.

• Delete excess wires, such as loops.

• Try to keep parallel wires evenly spaced even around corners.