What Is an LCD?

<sidebar>Sidebar: Flowcode Help Overview:Components</sidebar> A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat panel display which can electronically display images and sometimes videos, in this case it is mainly used to display numbers and letters using variables which can also be controlled or changed by other components to input data to display on the LCD.

LCDs in Flowcode can be used in numerous ways to display data using different methods and techniques, LCDs can print (display) data using as variables and can display ASCII symbols, numbers/digits, strings and even raw data. The components have the functionality to display scrolling text/data to convey a message larger than the maximum number of characters the LCD can physically display.

LCDs are used in many applications which use other components - most of which use interactive components - to change variables for the LCD to display, some applications just use LCD's to display information such as the time and/or date and use it as a clock or timer.

Other applications use LCDs to display pre-set or fixed (constant) data to describe elements present in the application or system, from processes and functions to components and variables, an example of this would be a DVD player display displaying 'Opening' or 'Closing' when opening or closing the disc tray, and 'Reading' when the data is being read by the DVD player to show it is loading the data to be displayed, a final example would be displaying the volume level when it is being changed to aid the user.

LCDs are used in a wide range of real-world applications, from LCD TVs and monitors and projectors to alarm clocks, watches and calculators. LCDs can display images as well as video, they are so energy efficient they can be powered by batteries which allows for light and compact applications.

Although they have a limited viewing angle and have a relatively slow response time which may cause motion blur, LCDs can be used effectively in many applications which can also help mitigate some disadvantages, for example, aircraft cockpit displays are specifically set up so the user can clearly see the LCD(s) and sheltering them from direct sunlight, mitigating the limited viewing angle and allows for a clear display.

Another example would be gaming and mobile devices which allow the user to easily move the device to clearly see the display, already reducing the limitations of the viewing angle, strong back-lighting is used to mitigate motion blur and allows the user to clearly see the display, some devices also have a "Gaming mode" which disables all or most procession to reduce perceivable input lag.