type value any

Signed-off-by: Jeff Carr <[email protected]>

22 files changed, 96 insertions, 127 deletions

diff --git a/andlabs/action.go b/andlabs/action.go
index 35f4f7b..e0cdcff 100644
--- a/andlabs/action.go
+++ b/andlabs/action.go
@@ -130,12 +130,6 @@ func (n *node) move(newParent *node) {
 		if (p.tk.uiBox != nil) {
 			p.tk.uiBox.Append(n.tk.uiControl, stretchy)
 		}
-		// log.Log(NOW, "is there a tParent parent? =", tParent.parent)
-		// tParent.uiBox.Delete(0)
-
-		// this didn't work:
-		// tWidget.uiControl.Disable()
-		// sleep(.8)
 	default:
 		log.Log(ERROR, "TODO: need to implement move() for type =", n.WidgetType)
 		log.Log(ERROR, "TODO: need to implement move() for where =", p.ParentId)
@@ -157,7 +151,7 @@ func (n *node) Delete() {
 	case widget.Grid:
 		// t.uiGrid.SetPadded(true)
 	case widget.Box:
-		log.Log(NOW, "tWidget.boxC =", p.Name)
+		log.Log(NOW, "tWidget.boxC =", p.progname)
 		log.Log(NOW, "is there a tParent parent? =", p.parent)
 		if (p.tk.boxC < 1) {
 			log.Log(NOW, "Can not delete from Box. already empty. tWidget.boxC =", p.tk.boxC)
@@ -177,8 +171,7 @@ func (n *node) Delete() {
 }
 
 func rawAction(a *widget.Action) {
-	log.Log(INFO, "rawAction() START a.ActionType =", a.ActionType)
-	log.Log(INFO, "rawAction() START a.S =", a.S)
+	log.Log(INFO, "rawAction() START a.ActionType =", a.ActionType, "a.Value", a.Value)
 
 	if (a.ActionType == widget.InitToolkit) {
 		// TODO: make sure to only do this once
@@ -209,7 +202,7 @@ func rawAction(a *widget.Action) {
 	}
 
 	if (a.ActionType == widget.Dump) {
-		log.Log(NOW, "rawAction() Dump =", a.ActionType, a.WidgetType, n.Name)
+		log.Log(NOW, "rawAction() Dump =", a.ActionType, a.WidgetType, n.progname)
 		me.rootNode.listChildren(true)
 		return
 	}
@@ -238,7 +231,7 @@ func rawAction(a *widget.Action) {
 	case widget.GetText:
 		switch a.WidgetType {
 		case widget.Textbox:
-			a.S = n.S
+			a.Value = n.value
 		}
 	case widget.Set:
 		n.setText(a)
diff --git a/andlabs/add.go b/andlabs/add.go
index c09ddf1..ffe2cc4 100644
--- a/andlabs/add.go
+++ b/andlabs/add.go
@@ -5,14 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"go.wit.com/gui/widget"
 )
 
-func actionDump(b bool, a *widget.Action) {
-	log.Log(NOW, "actionDump() Widget.Type =", a.ActionType)
-	log.Log(NOW, "actionDump() Widget.S =", a.S)
-	log.Log(NOW, "actionDump() Widget.I =", a.I)
-	log.Log(NOW, "actionDump() WidgetId =", a.WidgetId)
-	log.Log(NOW, "actionDump() ParentId =", a.ParentId)
-}
-
 func add(a *widget.Action) {
 	if (a.WidgetType == widget.Root) {
 		me.rootNode = addNode(a)
@@ -65,6 +57,6 @@ func add(a *widget.Action) {
 		p.newImage(n)
 		return
 	default:
-		log.Log(ERROR, "add() error TODO: ", n.WidgetType, n.Name)
+		log.Log(ERROR, "add() error TODO: ", n.WidgetType, n.progname)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/andlabs/addText.go b/andlabs/addText.go
index 291dca3..74249a4 100644
--- a/andlabs/addText.go
+++ b/andlabs/addText.go
@@ -6,22 +6,21 @@ import (
 )
 
 func (n *node) addText(a *widget.Action) {
-	log.Log(CHANGE, "addText() START with a.S =", a.S)
+	log.Log(CHANGE, "addText() START with a.Value =", a.Value)
 	t := n.tk
 	if (t == nil) {
-		log.Log(ERROR, "addText error. tk == nil", n.Name, n.WidgetId)
-		actionDump(debugError, a)
+		log.Log(ERROR, "addText error. tk == nil", n.progname, n.WidgetId)
 		return
 	}
-	log.Log(CHANGE, "addText() Attempt on", n.WidgetType, "with", a.S)
+	log.Log(CHANGE, "addText() Attempt on", n.WidgetType, "with", a.Value)
 
 	switch n.WidgetType {
 	case widget.Dropdown:
-		n.AddDropdownName(a.S)
+		n.AddDropdownName(getString(a.Value))
 	case widget.Combobox:
-		t.AddComboboxName(a.S)
+		t.AddComboboxName(getString(a.Value))
 	default:
 		log.Log(ERROR, "plugin Send() Don't know how to addText on", n.WidgetType, "yet", a.ActionType)
 	}
-	log.Log(CHANGE, "addText() END with a.S =", a.S)
+	log.Log(CHANGE, "addText() END with a.Value =", a.Value)
 }
diff --git a/andlabs/box.go b/andlabs/box.go
index 93a4fef..290c06b 100644
--- a/andlabs/box.go
+++ b/andlabs/box.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"go.wit.com/gui/widget"
+
 	"github.com/andlabs/ui"
 	_ "github.com/andlabs/ui/winmanifest"
 )
@@ -10,7 +12,7 @@ func (p *node) newBox(n *node) {
 	newt := new(guiWidget)
 	var box *ui.Box
 
-	if (n.horizontal) {
+	if n.direction == widget.Horizontal {
 		box = ui.NewHorizontalBox()
 	} else {
 		box = ui.NewVerticalBox()
@@ -47,7 +49,7 @@ func (p *node) newBox(n *node) {
 func (n *node) rawBox() *ui.Box {
 	var box *ui.Box
 
-	if (n.horizontal) {
+	if n.direction == widget.Horizontal {
 		box = ui.NewHorizontalBox()
 	} else {
 		box = ui.NewVerticalBox()
diff --git a/andlabs/button.go b/andlabs/button.go
index 0dcb0e5..675fad5 100644
--- a/andlabs/button.go
+++ b/andlabs/button.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ func (p *node) newButton(n *node) {
 	t := p.tk
 	newt := new(guiWidget)
 
-	b := ui.NewButton(n.Text)
+	b := ui.NewButton(getString(n.value))
 	newt.uiButton = b
 	newt.uiControl = b
 	newt.parent = t
diff --git a/andlabs/checkbox.go b/andlabs/checkbox.go
index a5ea3bc..49f9045 100644
--- a/andlabs/checkbox.go
+++ b/andlabs/checkbox.go
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ import (
 func (p *node) newCheckbox(n *node) {
 	newt := new(guiWidget)
 
-	newt.uiCheckbox = ui.NewCheckbox(n.Text)
+	newt.uiCheckbox = ui.NewCheckbox(n.label)
 	newt.uiControl = newt.uiCheckbox
 
 	newt.uiCheckbox.OnToggled(func(spin *ui.Checkbox) {
-		n.B = newt.checked()
+		n.value = newt.checked()
 		n.doUserEvent()
 	})
 
diff --git a/andlabs/combobox.go b/andlabs/combobox.go
index 6339f62..cc3603e 100644
--- a/andlabs/combobox.go
+++ b/andlabs/combobox.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ func (p *node) newCombobox(n *node) {
 	newt.val = make(map[int]string)
 
 	cb.OnChanged(func(spin *ui.EditableCombobox) {
-		n.A = spin.Text()
+		n.value = spin.Text()
 		log.Warn("combobox changed =" + spin.Text() + ".")
 		n.doUserEvent()
 	})
diff --git a/andlabs/debug.go b/andlabs/debug.go
index 96640a4..7e6bb24 100644
--- a/andlabs/debug.go
+++ b/andlabs/debug.go
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ func (n *node) dumpWidget(b bool) {
 	}
 	info = n.WidgetType.String()
 
-	d = strconv.Itoa(n.WidgetId) + " " + info + " " + n.Name
+	d = strconv.Itoa(n.WidgetId) + " " + info + " " + n.progname
 
 	var tabs string
 	for i := 0; i < listChildrenDepth; i++ {
diff --git a/andlabs/delete.go b/andlabs/delete.go
index a2c50ae..d528b66 100644
--- a/andlabs/delete.go
+++ b/andlabs/delete.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (n *node) destroy() {
 
 	switch n.WidgetType {
 	case widget.Button:
-		log.Log(NOW, "Should delete Button here:", n.Name)
+		log.Log(NOW, "Should delete Button here:", n.progname)
 		log.Log(NOW, "Parent:")
 		pt.Dump(true)
 		log.Log(NOW, "Child:")
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func (n *node) destroy() {
 		if (pt.uiBox == nil) {
 			log.Log(NOW, "Don't know how to destroy this")
 		} else {
-			log.Log(NOW, "Fuck it, destroy the whole box", n.parent.Name)
+			log.Log(NOW, "Fuck it, destroy the whole box", n.parent.progname)
 			// pt.uiBox.Destroy() // You have a bug: You cannot destroy a uiControl while it still has a parent.
 			pt.uiBox.SetPadded(false)
 			pt.uiBox.Delete(4)
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func (n *node) destroy() {
 		}
 
 	case widget.Window:
-		log.Log(NOW, "Should delete Window here:", n.Name)
+		log.Log(NOW, "Should delete Window here:", n.progname)
 	default:
 		log.Log(NOW, "Fuckit, let's destroy a button")
 		if (ct.uiButton != nil) {
diff --git a/andlabs/dropdown.go b/andlabs/dropdown.go
index ff83ac2..d2c493b 100644
--- a/andlabs/dropdown.go
+++ b/andlabs/dropdown.go
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import (
 
 func (p *node) newDropdown(n *node) {
 	newt := new(guiWidget)
-	log.Log(INFO, "gui.Toolbox.newDropdown() START", n.Name)
+	log.Log(INFO, "gui.Toolbox.newDropdown() START", n.progname)
 
 	cb := ui.NewCombobox()
 	newt.uiCombobox = cb
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ func (p *node) newDropdown(n *node) {
 		i := spin.Selected()
 		if (newt.val == nil) {
 			log.Log(ERROR, "make map didn't work")
-			n.S = "map did not work. ui.Combobox error"
+			n.value = "map did not work. ui.Combobox error"
 		} else {
-			n.S = newt.val[i]
+			n.value = newt.val[i]
 		}
 		n.doUserEvent()
 	})
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ func (n *node) AddDropdownName(s string) {
 
 	t := n.tk
 	if (t == nil) {
-		log.Log(INFO, "AddDropdownName() toolkit struct == nil. name=", n.Name, s)
+		log.Log(INFO, "AddDropdownName() toolkit struct == nil. name=", n.progname, s)
 		return
 	}
 	t.addDropdownName(s)
@@ -76,5 +76,5 @@ func (n *node) SetDropdownName(a *widget.Action, s string) {
 	}
 	t.SetDropdown(1)
 	// TODO: send back to wit/gui goroutine with the chan
-	n.S = s
+	n.value = s
 }
diff --git a/andlabs/group.go b/andlabs/group.go
index 768d03a..8555d07 100644
--- a/andlabs/group.go
+++ b/andlabs/group.go
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 func (p *node) newGroup(n *node) {
 	newt := new(guiWidget)
 
-	g := ui.NewGroup(n.Name)
+	g := ui.NewGroup(getString(n.value))
 	g.SetMargined(margin)
 	newt.uiGroup = g
 	newt.uiControl = g
diff --git a/andlabs/label.go b/andlabs/label.go
index 51537a1..4199059 100644
--- a/andlabs/label.go
+++ b/andlabs/label.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 func (p *node) newLabel(n *node) {
 	newt := new(guiWidget)
-	c := ui.NewLabel(n.Name)
+	c := ui.NewLabel(getString(n.value))
 	newt.uiLabel = c
 	newt.uiControl = c
 
diff --git a/andlabs/main.go b/andlabs/main.go
index c735aea..ac52a5c 100644
--- a/andlabs/main.go
+++ b/andlabs/main.go
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ func catchActionChannel() {
 		log.Log(INFO, "catchActionChannel() for loop")
 	    	select {
 		case a := <-pluginChan:
-			log.Log(INFO, "catchActionChannel() SELECT widget id =", a.WidgetId, a.Name)
+			log.Log(INFO, "catchActionChannel() SELECT widget id =", a.WidgetId, a.ProgName)
 			log.Log(INFO, "catchActionChannel() STUFF", a.WidgetId, a.ActionType, a.WidgetType)
 			muAction.Lock()
 			// TODO ui.QueueMain(f)
diff --git a/andlabs/place.go b/andlabs/place.go
index 59a55d9..2658f99 100644
--- a/andlabs/place.go
+++ b/andlabs/place.go
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ import (
 // -- (0,1) -- (1,1) -- (1,1) --
 // -----------------------------
 func (p *node) place(n *node) bool {
-	log.Log(INFO, "place() START", n.WidgetType, n.Name)
+	log.Log(INFO, "place() START", n.WidgetType, n.progname)
 
 	if (p.tk == nil) {
-		log.Log(ERROR, "p.tk == nil", p.Name, p.ParentId, p.WidgetType, p.tk)
-		log.Log(ERROR, "n = ", n.Name, n.ParentId, n.WidgetType, n.tk)
+		log.Log(ERROR, "p.tk == nil", p.progname, p.ParentId, p.WidgetType, p.tk)
+		log.Log(ERROR, "n = ", n.progname, n.ParentId, n.WidgetType, n.tk)
 		panic("p.tk == nil")
 	}
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func (p *node) place(n *node) bool {
 		return true
 	case widget.Group:
 		if (p.tk.uiBox == nil) {
-			log.Log(WARN, "place() andlabs hack group to use add a box", n.Name, n.WidgetType, "horizontal =", n.horizontal)
+			log.Log(WARN, "place() andlabs hack group to use add a box", n.progname, n.WidgetType)
 			p.tk.uiBox  = n.rawBox()
 			p.tk.uiGroup.SetChild(p.tk.uiBox)
 		}
@@ -72,10 +72,10 @@ func (p *node) place(n *node) bool {
 			panic("n.tk.uiControl == nil")
 		}
 		log.Log(ERROR, "CHECK LOGIC ON THIS. APPENDING directly into a window without a tab")
-		// log.Log(ERROR, "THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ??????? trying to place() node=", n.WidgetId, n.Name, n.Text, n.WidgetType)
-		// log.Log(ERROR, "THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ??????? trying to place() on parent=", p.WidgetId, p.Name, p.Text, p.WidgetType)
+		// log.Log(ERROR, "THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ??????? trying to place() node=", n.WidgetId, n.progname, n.Text, n.WidgetType)
+		// log.Log(ERROR, "THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ??????? trying to place() on parent=", p.WidgetId, p.progname, p.Text, p.WidgetType)
 		// panic("n.tk.uiControl == nil")
-		p.tk.uiTab.Append(n.Text, n.tk.uiControl)
+		p.tk.uiTab.Append(getString(n.value), n.tk.uiControl)
 		p.tk.boxC += 1
 		return true
 	case widget.Box:
diff --git a/andlabs/setText.go b/andlabs/setText.go
index 9aabd99..88b4df0 100644
--- a/andlabs/setText.go
+++ b/andlabs/setText.go
@@ -1,48 +1,17 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"reflect"
-	"strconv"
-
 	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/gui/widget"
 )
 
 func (n *node) setText(a *widget.Action) {
-	var name string
-	var A any
-	var k reflect.Kind
-	A = a.A
-	if a.A == nil {
-		log.Warn("setText a.A == nil")
-		A = ""
-	}
-
-	k = reflect.TypeOf(A).Kind()
-
-	switch k {
-	case reflect.Int:
-		var i int
-		i = A.(int)
-		name = strconv.Itoa(i)
-	case reflect.String:
-		name = A.(string)
-	case reflect.Bool:
-		if A.(bool) == true {
-			name = "true"
-		} else {
-			name = "false"
-		}
-	default:
-		log.Warn("setText uknown kind", k, "value =", A)
-		name = ""
-	}
+	name := getString(a.Value)
 
 	log.Log(CHANGE, "setText() START with text =", name)
 	t := n.tk
 	if (t == nil) {
-		log.Log(ERROR, "setText error. tk == nil", n.Name, n.WidgetId)
-		actionDump(debugError, a)
+		log.Log(ERROR, "setText error. tk == nil", n.progname, n.WidgetId)
 		return
 	}
 	log.Log(CHANGE, "setText() Attempt on", n.WidgetType, "with", name)
@@ -68,9 +37,9 @@ func (n *node) setText(a *widget.Action) {
 	case widget.Button:
 		t.uiButton.SetText(name)
 	case widget.Slider:
-		log.Log(ERROR, "setText() on slider unknown", a.ActionType, "on checkbox", n.Name)
+		log.Log(ERROR, "setText() on slider unknown", a.ActionType, "on checkbox", n.progname)
 	case widget.Spinner:
-		log.Log(ERROR, "setText() on spinner unknown", a.ActionType, "on checkbox", n.Name)
+		log.Log(ERROR, "setText() on spinner unknown", a.ActionType, "on checkbox", n.progname)
 	case widget.Dropdown:
 		var orig int
 		var i int = -1
diff --git a/andlabs/slider.go b/andlabs/slider.go
index 5098943..532f437 100644
--- a/andlabs/slider.go
+++ b/andlabs/slider.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ func (p *node) newSlider(n *node) {
 	newt.uiControl = s
 
 	s.OnChanged(func(spin *ui.Slider) {
-		n.I = newt.uiSlider.Value()
+		n.value = newt.uiSlider.Value()
 		n.doUserEvent()
 	})
 
diff --git a/andlabs/spinner.go b/andlabs/spinner.go
index bab7a29..6b4fec1 100644
--- a/andlabs/spinner.go
+++ b/andlabs/spinner.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ func (p *node) newSpinner(n *node) {
 	newt.uiControl = s
 
 	s.OnChanged(func(s *ui.Spinbox) {
-		n.I = newt.uiSpinbox.Value()
+		n.value = newt.uiSpinbox.Value()
 		n.doUserEvent()
 	})
 
diff --git a/andlabs/tab.go b/andlabs/tab.go
index 77e8443..232b8e8 100644
--- a/andlabs/tab.go
+++ b/andlabs/tab.go
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func (p *node) newTab(n *node) {
 	if (t.uiTab == nil) {
 		// this means you have to make a new tab
 		log.Log(TOOLKIT,  "newTab() GOOD. This should be the first tab:", n.WidgetId, n.ParentId)
-		newt = rawTab(t.uiWindow, n.Text)
+		newt = rawTab(t.uiWindow, getString(n.value))
 		t.uiTab = newt.uiTab
 	} else {
 		// this means you have to append a tab
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func (p *node) newTab(n *node) {
 			newt.uiWindow = t.uiWindow
 			newt.uiTab = t.uiTab
 		} else {
-			newt = t.appendTab(n.Text)
+			newt = t.appendTab(getString(n.value))
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/andlabs/textbox.go b/andlabs/textbox.go
index 7cb5d63..d766b45 100644
--- a/andlabs/textbox.go
+++ b/andlabs/textbox.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ func (p *node) newTextbox(n *node) {
 		newt.uiControl = e
 
 		e.OnChanged(func(spin *ui.Entry) {
-			n.S = spin.Text()
+			n.value = spin.Text()
 			n.doUserEvent()
 		})
 	} else {
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func (p *node) newTextbox(n *node) {
 		newt.uiControl = e
 
 		e.OnChanged(func(spin *ui.MultilineEntry) {
-			n.S = spin.Text()
+			n.value = spin.Text()
 			n.doUserEvent()
 		})
 	}
diff --git a/andlabs/widget.go b/andlabs/widget.go
index a96eb02..414ca3d 100644
--- a/andlabs/widget.go
+++ b/andlabs/widget.go
@@ -8,21 +8,11 @@ import (
 func initWidget(n *node) *guiWidget {
 	var w *guiWidget
 	w = new(guiWidget)
-	// Set(w, "default")
 
 	if n.WidgetType == widget.Root {
 		n.WidgetId = 0
 		me.rootNode = n
 		return w
 	}
-
-	if (n.WidgetType == widget.Box) {
-		if (n.B) {
-			n.horizontal = true
-		} else {
-			n.horizontal = false
-		}
-	}
-
 	return w
 }
diff --git a/andlabs/window.go b/andlabs/window.go
index 68fe921..d9dd106 100644
--- a/andlabs/window.go
+++ b/andlabs/window.go
@@ -17,11 +17,10 @@ func (t *guiWidget) ErrorWindow(msg1 string, msg2 string) {
 
 func newWindow(n *node) {
 	var newt *guiWidget
-
 	newt = new(guiWidget)
 
 	// menubar bool is if the OS defined border on the window should be used
-	win := ui.NewWindow(n.Name, n.X, n.Y, menubar)
+	win := ui.NewWindow(n.progname, n.X, n.Y, menubar)
 	win.SetBorderless(canvas)
 	win.SetMargined(margin)
 	win.OnClosing(func(*ui.Window) bool {
@@ -38,7 +37,7 @@ func newWindow(n *node) {
 }
 
 func (n *node) SetWindowTitle(title string) {
-	log.Log(CHANGE, "toolkit NewWindow", n.Text, "title", title)
+	log.Log(CHANGE, "toolkit NewWindow", getString(n.value), "title", title)
 	win := n.tk.uiWindow
 	if (win == nil) {
 		log.Log(ERROR, "Error: no window", n.WidgetId)
diff --git a/nocui/common.go b/nocui/common.go
index bfb76c8..cd5b7f1 100644
--- a/nocui/common.go
+++ b/nocui/common.go
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ package main
 */
 
 import (
+	"reflect"
+	"strconv"
+
 	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/gui/widget"
 )
@@ -31,16 +34,19 @@ type node struct {
 	WidgetType	widget.WidgetType
 	ParentId	int	// parent ID
 
-	Name   string
-	Text   string
+	// Name   string
+	// Text   string
+
+	progname   string
+	label   string
+
+	// horizontal  means layout widgets like books on a bookshelf
+	// vertical    means layout widgets like books in a stack
+	direction widget.Orientation
 
 	// This is how the values are passed back and forth
 	// values from things like checkboxes & dropdown's
-	B	bool
-	I	int
-	S	string
-
-	A	any // switch to this or deprecate this? pros/cons?
+	value any
 
 	// This is used for things like a slider(0,100)
 	X      int
@@ -54,9 +60,7 @@ type node struct {
 
 	vals []string // dropdown menu items
 
-	// horizontal=true  means layout widgets like books on a bookshelf
-	// horizontal=false means layout widgets like books in a stack
-	horizontal bool `default:false`
+	// horizontal bool `default:false`
 
 	hasTabs bool // does the window have tabs?
 	currentTab bool // the visible tab
@@ -93,12 +97,7 @@ func (n *node) doUserEvent() {
 	}
 	var a widget.Action
 	a.WidgetId = n.WidgetId
-	a.Name = n.Name
-	a.Text = n.Text
-	a.S = n.S
-	a.I = n.I
-	a.B = n.B
-	a.A = n.A
+	a.Value = n.value
 	a.ActionType = widget.User
 	log.Log(INFO, "doUserEvent() START: send a user event to the callback channel")
 	callback <- a
@@ -113,11 +112,9 @@ func addNode(a *widget.Action) *node {
 	n.ParentId = a.ParentId
 
 	// copy the data from the action message
-	n.Name = a.Name
-	n.Text = a.Text
-	n.I = a.I
-	n.S = a.S
-	n.B = a.B
+	n.progname = a.ProgName
+	n.value = a.Value
+	n.direction = a.Direction
 
 	n.X = a.X
 	n.Y = a.Y
@@ -166,3 +163,31 @@ func Callback(guiCallback chan widget.Action) {
 func PluginChannel() chan widget.Action {
 	return pluginChan
 }
+
+func getString(A any) string {
+	if A == nil {
+		log.Warn("getString() got nil")
+		return ""
+	}
+	var k reflect.Kind
+	k = reflect.TypeOf(A).Kind()
+
+	switch k {
+	case reflect.Int:
+		var i int
+		i = A.(int)
+		return strconv.Itoa(i)
+	case reflect.String:
+		return A.(string)
+	case reflect.Bool:
+		if A.(bool) == true {
+			return "true"
+		} else {
+			return "false"
+		}
+	default:
+		log.Warn("getString uknown kind", k, "value =", A)
+		return ""
+	}
+	return ""
+}