Data point connections

It is necessary to configure the connection (compare to dpConnect() ) on the corresponding elements in order to enable reacting to changes of the data point elements. The relevant functionality of the ScriptWizard can be found in the menu tab "Connect", with which connections to data points, handling of bad values and user permissions can be configured.

The configuration from data point connections is only available when the ScriptWizard is called via the "Initialize" event.

Structure

The menu tab "Connect" consists the following three parts:

  • Connect to data points (data points for dpConnect)

  • Handling bad values (Rules for labeling "invalid")

  • Definition of required authorization levels (User permission for connects)

Figure 1. Overview - Connect

Data points for a dpConnect

The data points overview shows all the data points, for which a connection in a panel or in a graphical object is configured. In addition to the data point name, it also offers information about data types and the variables for which the connection was created. In order to arrange the panel flexibly, a data point name can be replaced by a dollar-parameter. For more information please refer to dollar-parameter.

Figure 2. Overview - Data point

Add Data point

To add a new data point click on the push button "add data point" and the data point is connected to a variable. The variable can then be used by the ScriptWizard. The figure below is an example which shows a new data point is added and can be edited.

Figure 3. Example: add a data point element for connection

Name

Defines the name of the connect variable which shall be created.

Connect

Allows to select if a input variable (a $DP) or a absolute DPE shall be used.

Input variable => Allows to create a new data point element as placeholder ($DP)

Absolute DPE => Allows to select a existing data point element

Data point selection

Click on the push button "data point selection" and a list with all available data point elements pops up.

Data type

Define the data type of a variable.

When selecting an "Absolute DPE", the data type is automatically identified and does not have to be configured manually.

Properties

Allows to select properties of the data point element to establish a connection.

Property selection

Allows to select one or more properties of the data point element.

When selecting "Absolute DPE", the configs which currently do not exist for the selected DPE will be grayed out (see the figure below).

Figure 4. Property selection

Delete selected entry

Allows to delete the selected entry.

Delete all entries

Allows to delete all entries

Description

Allows to set a multilingual description for the element.

Edit data point

Click on the push button "edit data point" and a dialog pops up. In this dialog you can edit the data point. Please refer also to Add data point.

Create bad value handling

Click on the push button "create bad value handling" to start handling a bad value. For more information please refer to Rules for labeling "invalid". The data point connection created for this handling is independent of other data point connection.

Delete data point

Select a data point, click on the push button "delete data point" and the data point will be deleted.

Rules for labeling "invalid"

ScriptWizard enables reacting to bad values by defining a rule for the "invalid" label of received values. In case of the "invalid" label the graphical object is marked in a special color, indicating that the values in the UI are inaccurate and invalid.

Figure 5. Rules for labeling "invalid"

Define rule

To define a corresponding rule click on the push button "define rule" and a dialog pops up. In this dialog all the available variables and dollar-parameters which can be used in the rule are listed. For more information about the rule dialog please refer to Rule Dialog.

A corresponding rule can also be created manually. However, as the syntax is not checked, you need to check manually if the syntax is correct!!

This rule applies to ALL the elements in the panel! Use logical "OR" ("||") statements to create more rules / conditions.

User permission for connects

To ensure that only authorized personnel can use the panel, user permissions can be defined for the panel. Without the right authorization, the data point are not connected, so the panel can not be operated.

Figure 6. Set user permission

Needed permission

The list of needed permission includes all the authority levels available in the project. A user must have at least one permission listed in the list of needed permission to operate the panel.

Select the check box under the list of required permissions to give an indication to the user if he does not have appropriate rights to operate the panel.