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Kupdf.net_pdms-pml-manual | in PML An ARRAY variable can contain many values, each of which is called an array element. YearArray is created automatically by creating one o f its array elements. ! Array = Array() This is an empty variable but it has been defined a s an array. Adding elements to the array: Type 1 ! Array[1] = 'BOB'! Array[2] = 45! Array[10] = !! C E Type 2! Array.Append('BOB')! Array.Append(45)! Array.Appe nd(!! CE) Type 1 adds string values into exact position of a rray element (1,2 and 10). Type2 add String values to the end of lists (11,12,13). To ch eck array list query: Q var! Array <ARRAY> [1] <STRING> 'BOB'[2] <REAL> 45 [10] <DBREF> 'KELLY' [11] <STRING> 'BOB' [12] <REAL> 'GEORGE' [13] <DBREF> 'KELLY' To check exact array member query: Q var! Array[1] <STRING> 'BOB' Note: How array elements are referred to by means of a s ubscript expression in [ ] squareBrackets and that there must be no space between th e end of the array name and the Subscript. Array elements are accessed in the same way when using the value in an Expression: ! Average = ( ! Sample[1] +! Sample[2] +! Sample[3] ) / 3 ) The individualUal elements of an array variable can be set independently and in any order. Thus You can set! X[1] and ! X[10] without setting any of the intervening elements! X[2] to! X[9]. In Other words PML arrays are allowed to be 'sparse' a nd to have gaps between the subscriptNumbers which have values set. Negative subscripts are no longer permitted. An array Subscript of zero is allowed but you are advised ag ainst using it as many of the array Facilities ignore array element zero. An array subs cript may be an expression of anyComplexity provided it evaluates to a positive REAL result and may even include a call to a PML Function: ! Value = ! MyArray[! A + (! B * !! MyFunction() ) + ! C ] PML Arrays may be heterogeneous. That is to say the elements of a PML array do not haveTo be all of the same type. Array elements may even be user-defined objects. Values to be Concatenated are automatically converted to STRING by the '&' operator. Type the following Onto the command line: Non-existent array elements - after the last set element of the arrayAnd the non-existent elements in the gaps of a spar se array - are all UNDEFINED: the Function Undefined() will return TRUE and the funct ion Defined() will return FALSE for all These subscripts. |
Kupdf.net_pdms-pml-manual-1 | Array methods
Array methods are built-in functions for performin g a variety of operations on the array.
These methods are invoked with a dot following the array name. The method name must be followed by ( ) parentheses - even if the function has no arguments. Array methods :
• !Array.Size()
• !Array.Clear()
• !Array.RemoveFrom(x,y)
• !Array.Append()
• !Array.Delete() or !Array[N].Delete()
• !Array.Split()
• !Array.Width()
• !Array.Sort()
• !Array.Inver()
• !Array.SortUnique()
• !Array.Unique()
Note: Always use an array method, if one is available, i n preference to constructing a do loop as it is far more efficient.
!Nelements = !MyArray.Size()
This method sets !Nelements to the number of elemen ts currently in the array. Its returns a REAL result which can be assigned to another variable.
!MyArray.Clear()
This is an example of a method which modifies the a rray by deleting all the array elements but produces no-result value, so there is nothing t o assign to another variable.
!NewArray = !OldArray.RemoveFrom(5,10)
This is an example of a method result which modifie s the array by removing 10 elements, starting at element 5. NewArray value is a new arra y containing the 10 removed elements. If not required, the result can be simply discarded by invoking the method as a command and
not assigning the result to a variable: !OldArray.RemoveFrom(5,10)
!Result.Append(!NewValue)
To set a new element at the end of an existing arra y without needing to know which elements are already set, use the Append() method. The new array element to be created is determined automatically by adding 1 to the highest existing index for the array !Result. The
data are stored in !Result[1] if the array does not yet contain any elements. The array !Result must exist before you can call this method. If nece ssary you can create an empty array (with no elements) beforehand: !Result = ARRAY() .If !Res ult exists already as a simple variable, you will get an error and the command is ignored.
!MyArray[N].Delete()
To destroy an array element use the Delete() method . The deleted array element would test
as UNDEFINED. Note that the array continues to exis t even when you have deleted all its
elements. Deleting the entire array, together with any existing array elements, use the Delete
method on the array itself: !MyArray.Delete()
!ArrayOfFields = !Line.split()
You can split a text string into its component fiel ds and store each field in a separate array element using a text string’s Split() method. This can be useful after reading a record from a file into a variable. By default, the delimiter is any white-space character (tab, space or |
Kupdf.net_pdms-pml-manual-1 | (newline): ! Line = '123 456 789' The white-space is treated as a special case since Consecutive white-spaces are treated as a single deLimit and white-spaces at the start or Finish of the string are ignored. The result is to create the array-variable! ArrayOfFields (if it Does not already exist) with the element! FIELDS[1] set to '123', ! FIELDS[2] set to '456', and ! FIELDS[3] set to '789'.To specify a different del imiter, specify the required (single) Character as the argument to the Split() method: ! Line = '123 ,456 ,,789' ! ArrayOfFields = ! Line.split(',') In this example, comma is used as the delimiter. ! A rrayOfFields is created if it does notAlready exist with the element! FIELDS[1] set to '1 23', ! FIELDS[2] set to '456', ! FIELDS[3] Created but set to zero length, and! FIELDS[4] set to '789'. Note that in this case, unlike the White-space delimiter, consecutive occurrences of t he comma define empty elements.Note: The only way to set the special white-space delimit er is by default; that is, by not specifying Any delimiter as an argument to the Split() method. If a space is specified explicitly as the Delimiter (as ' '), it will behave in the same way as comma in this example.You can combine An array-append method with a text-string Split() m ethod in a single command to append the Fields of a text string to the end of an existing a rray variable, thus: ! ArrayOfFields.AppendArray(! Line.Split()) ! Width = ! List.width() ThE length of the longest element in an array can b e a useful thing to know, for example When you are outputting the values in table form. Y ou can do this using the Width() method. For example, in the array! LIST: ! LIST[1]'One'! LIST[2]'Two'! LIST[3]'Three'The command: ! Width = ! List.width() would set to! Width to the v alue 5, the length of the longest element in ! LIST, which is 'Three'. Note: If the array contain ed elements that were not strings, these are Ignored when calculating the maximum width. ! MyArray.Sort() & ! MyArray.Sort(). Invert() The simplest way of sorting an array is to use the Sort() method: ! MyArray.Sort() This is a No-result method that modifies the array by perform ing a sort in-situ. The sort is into Ascending order and will be aN ASCII sort on an arr ay of STRING elements and a NUMERIC Sort on an array of REAL values. The Sort() method returns the array itself as a list result, so It is possible to follow the call to the Sort() met hod immediately with a call to the Invert() MEthod, which will return a descending sort: ! MyArr ay.Sort(). Invert(). An alternative Approach is an indirect sort using the method Sorte dIndices() which returns a REAL array Representing new index positions for the array elem ents in their sorted positions:! NewPositions = ! MyArray.SortedIndices() The array can be sorted by applying the new Index values using the ReIndex() method: ! MyArray.R eIndex(! NewPositions) More important, The index values in! NewPositions can be used to so rt other arrays as well. To use some simple examples, imagine we had the arr ay! Animals that contained: [1] Wombat [2] Kangaroo [3] Gnu [4] Aardvark [5] An telope The command: ! Animals.Sort () Would move the array elements so that they now appe ared in the following order:[1] Aardvark [2] Antelope [3] Gnu [4] Kangaroo [5] Wombat The command: ! Animals.Invert () invert the sort to the following order: [1] Antelope [2] Aardvark [3] Gnu [4] Kangaroo [5] Wombat |
Subtotaling Arrays with the VAR Command | Sorting Arrays using the VAR Command These facilities were dSigned to work with arrays of STRINGS. Where a multi-level sort Is required it is still necessary to use the older facilities of the VAR command to perform the Comes out. Using a different example, look at the arrays! Because,! Colour and! Year: VAR! Index SORT!Because CIASCII! Colour! Year NUMERIC Sorting Option Effect CIASCII Sorts in ascending case-independent alphabe tic order. DESCENDING Sorts in alphabetic in reverse order CIASCII DESCENDING Sorts in descending case-indepen dent alphabetic order. NUMERIC Forces an ascending numerical sort on numbe rs held as strings. NUMERIC DESCENDING Forces a descending numerical so rt on numbers held as strings. You can also modify the array to eliminate empty or repeated elements: UNIQUE - Eliminates instances of duplicated data.For exa mple: VAR! Unique SORT Index! Because CIASCII! Colour! Year N UMERIC NOUNSET NOEMPTY - Eliminates rows that contain only UNSET values. VAR! Index SORT NOUNSET! Because CIASCII! Colour! Year NUMERIC To sort these arrays and identify the last oCcurren ce of each group of the same car type, use The LASTINGROUP option: VAR! Index SORT! Because LASTINGROUP! Group Suppose we had sorted the array! Car and another ar ray! Value using the command: VAR! Index SORT! Because! Value LASTINGROUP! Group We can then generate an array of subtotals for each type of car with the following command: VAR! Totals SUBTOTAL! Values! Index! Group VAR! Variable SUBTOTAL - This will sum value strings that contain values with or without Unit qualifiers. Unit qUalifiers within the strings will be ignored. This is to allow REPORTER to Still operate with unit qualified value strings tha t may have been introduced by other VAR or $! Variable commands. VAR! Variable EVALUATE - Will return string variables andArrays of unit qualified values if The evaluation generates quantities with physical d imensions. VAR! D EVAL (DIAM) for all CYLI - sets! D to a set of strings such as '90cm' ' 60cm' etc. - when cm are the current length Units). The unit will be the current working unit.VAR! Variable ATTRIBUTE This sets the variable to a string that contains t he value AND The unit qualifier for attributes with of a physica l quantity VAR! X XLEN sets! X to '46cm' if Current units are cm) The unit will be the current working unit. |
The Collection Syntax PML 1 | Sorting Arrays using the VAR Command
These facilities were designed to work with arrays of STRINGS. Where a multi-level sort is required it is still necessary to use the older facilities of the VAR command to perform the sort. Using a different example, look at the arrays !Car, !Colour and !Year:
VAR !Index SORT !Car CIASCII !Colour !Year NUMERIC
Sorting Option Effect
CIASCII Sorts in ascending case-independent alphabe tic order.
DESCENDING Sorts in alphabetic in reverse order
CIASCII DESCENDING Sorts in descending case-indepen dent alphabetic order.
NUMERIC Forces an ascending numerical sort on numbe rs held as strings.
NUMERIC DESCENDING Forces a descending numerical so rt on numbers held as strings.
You can also modify the array to eliminate empty or repeated elements:
UNIQUE - Eliminates instances of duplicated data. For example:
VAR !Index SORT UNIQUE !Car CIASCII !Colour !Year N UMERIC
NOUNSET NOEMPTY - Eliminates rows that contain only UNSET values.
VAR !Index SORT NOUNSET !Car CIASCII !Colour !Year NUMERIC
To sort these arrays and identify the last occurren ce of each group of the same car type, use the LASTINGROUP option:
VAR !Index SORT !Car LASTINGROUP !Group
Suppose we had sorted the array !Car and another ar ray !Value using the command:
VAR !Index SORT !Car !Value LASTINGROUP !Group
We can then generate an array of subtotals for each type of car with the following command:
VAR !Totals SUBTOTAL !Values !Index !Group
VAR !variable SUBTOTAL - This will sum value strings that contain values with or without unit qualifiers. Unit qualifiers within the strings will be ignored. This is to allow REPORTER to still operate with unit qualified value strings tha t may have been introduced by other VAR or
$!variable commands.
VAR !variable EVALUATE - Will return string variables and arrays of unit qualified values if the evaluation generates quantities with physical d imensions. VAR !D EVAL (DIAM) for all CYLI - sets !D to a set of strings such as '90cm' ' 60cm' etc. - when cm are the current length
units). The unit will be the current working unit.
VAR !variable ATTRIBUTE This sets the variable to a string that contains t he value AND the unit qualifier for attributes with of a physica l quantity VAR !X XLEN sets !X to '46cm' if current units are cm) The unit will be the current working unit.
|
The Collection Syntax PML 1 | Expression search criteria applied to collection eq uates to "with (GTYP eq 'BEAM')" ! Expression = object EXPRESSION() ! expression.expression('GTYP eq ''BEAM''') Define Collection ! Collection = object COLLECTION() ! Collection.scope(! Scope)! collection.addType(! elementType) ! Collection.filter(! Expression) !! sectionPML2 = ! Collection.results() Example 2: PML 1 collection Var! myColl collect ALL (VALV INST) WITH (spec of s pref eq /INST ) FOR /TUB_PRUEBA /Tuberias_para_aplicacionesPML 2 Collection ! myColl = !! CollectAllFor('VALV INST', 'spec of spr ef eq /INST', /TUB_PRUEBA /Tuberias_para_aplicaciones ! Coll = object COLLECTION() ! Coll.type('<gtype>') ! Coll.scope(<dbref>) ! Coll.filter(<expression>) ! Coll.initialize() ! ListOfItems = !Coll.results() Note: Remember that this returns an array of DBREFS and not STRINGS Example 3: PML 1 collection Var! Test coll all pipe with matchw (purp,'*yourpur pose*') within vol ce 1000 Var! Test1 eval name for all from! Test ! Dat = 'c:/temp/excel.Csv' ! Output = object file (! Dat) ! Output.writefile ('WRITE',! Test1) ! Output.close() Syscom 'c:/temp/excel.csv&' Example 4: PML 2 collection ! Coll = object COLLECTION() ! coll.type('TRFAIL') ! Coll.scope(! Trinco) ! Coll.filter( object EXPRESSION('OWNER eq TRMLST') )! Coll.initialize() ! Scope = ! Coll.results() -- Create an array of list names (for the dropdown) ! listNames = object ARRAY() ! listNames.append('ExampleList') ! listNames.append('AnotherList') -- Create a corresponding list of numbers (the RTEX T in the dropdown) |
The Collection Syntax PML 1 | ! listNumbers = object ARRAY()! listNumbers.append('1') ! listNumbers.append('2') -- Create an array of strings for contents of the f irst list (names or refnos) ! listContents = object ARRAY() ! listContents.append('/P-MA') ! listContents.append('/P-GA') ! listContents.append('/P-16B')-- Add the array of contents to a global variable !! Cdlist1 = object ARRAY() !! Cdlist1.appendarray(! listContents) -- Repeat for a second list (optional) ! listContents = object ARRAY() ! listContents.append('/E-13') ! listContents.append('/S-13') !listContents.append('/P-16B') !! Cdlist2 = object ARRAY() !! Cdlist2.appendarray(! listContents) -- Update the form with the DTEXT and RTEXT !! cdcList.name.dText = ! listNames !! cdcList.name.rText = ! listNumbers -- Store the names in a global variable!! cdList = ! listNames Example 5: PML 2 collection ! E = !! CollectAllFor('SCTN','', !! This ) ! E = !! CollectAllFor('PIPE','Pspec eq |/A3|', world ) ! E = object COLLECT() ! E.classes = 'ALL' ! E.types = 'sctn' ! Tmp = !! Collect(! E) Note: There are more options, like!E.expression - this lets you add an expression to the Object, etc. The easiest way to see the options I t hink is to create the object then query it. ! E = object COLLECT() Q var! E ! A = Object Collection() ! a.scope(/VALIDELY) ! a.type('TYPE') Example 6: Conditions: Type: TEE Stype: RDTE (reducing tee in our DB) Bore: DN100 Cbore: DN50 (bore of tee connection) Spec: /SOME_SPEC |
Array sorting | PML 1 collection Var! Tees coll all SPCO with ((GTYPE of catref eq ' TEE') and (STYPE eq 'RDTE' and PARAM1 of Catref eq 100)) for /SOME_SPEC Note: What you get is anArray of specifications matchin g criteria. In this case this would be All reducing tees in catalog. You still don't know how to select the tee with correct reduced DN. PML 2 collection ! Elbows = !! collectallfor(|ELBO|,|gtype of catref i nset('ELBO') AND stype inset('PPBA') AND P1BORE eq 50mm|,!! This) ! Directory = object file (|C:\FOLDER|) ! dirFiles = ! Directory.files() -- Query! dirFiles: Q var! dirFiles -- If you want to get only the filenames: ! fileList = object array() Do! I clues!dirFiles ! File = ! dirFiles[! I].entry() ! fileList.append(! File) Enddo Q var! fileList ! Project = CURRENT PROJECT ! MyProj = ! Project.code() $p $p Project: $! MyProj $p ! xTab = | | Var! Pipes collect all (PIPE) ! Asz = ArraySize(! Pipes) $P Array size: $!Asz ! Output = object ARRAY() ! xRec = |'PIPE| & |$! xTab| & |ZONE| & |$! xTab| & |P SPEC| & |$! xTab| & |ISPEC| & |$! xTab| & |:STATUS'| ! Output.append($! xRec) Var! Names evaluate (name) for all from! Pipes ! NewPositions = ! names.SortedIndices() ! Names.Sort() Var! Zones evaluate (name of zone) for all from! Pi pes Var! Pspes evaluate (pspe) for all from! Pipes Var! Ispes evaluate (ispe) for all from! Pipes Var! Stats evaluate (:status) for all from! Pipes ! zones.ReIndex(! NewPositions) ! pspes.ReIndex(!NewPositions) ! ispes.ReIndex(! NewPositions) ! stats.ReIndex(! NewPositions) |
Kupdf.net_pdms-pml-manual-1 | do! Pipe index! Pipes ! Record =! Names[! Pipe] & |$! xTab| & ! Zones[! Pipe ] & |$! xTab| & ! Pspes[! Pipe] & |$! xTab| & ! Ispes[! Pipe] & |$! xTab| & ! Stats[! Pip e] ! Output.append(! Record) Enddo ! File = object FILE('%PDMSuser%\$!MyProj_PipeList.t xt') ! file.writefile('OVERWRITE',! Output) $p $p Macro finished Resulting sample output of PML report (623 records): PIPE ZONE PSPEC ISPEC :STATUS /1"-D173015-11180-H4-0001 /PIP-17000-71 /11180-H4 = 0/0 1 /1"-R172002-11085-R /PIP-17000-FLARE /11180-H4 =0/0 1/1"-R17200X-11085-R /PIP-17000-FLARE /11180-H4 =0/0 1 /10"-B172001-11380-H1-0001-1 /PIP-17000-FLARE /1138 0-H1 =0/0 1 /10"-B172002-11380-H1-0001-1 /PIP-17000-FLARE /1138 0-H1 =0/0 1 /10"-B172035-11380-H1-0001 /PIP-17000-FLARE /11380- H1 =0/0 1 /10"-B172036-11380-H1-0001 /PIP-17000-FLARE /11380- H1 =0/0 1 PML 2 array sorting ! Project = CURRENT PROJECT ! MyProj = ! Project.code() $p $p Project: $! MyProj $p ! TwldX = |*| ! xTab = | | ! Output = object ARRAY() ! xRec = |'PIPE| & |$! xTab| & |ZONE| & |$!xTab| & |P SPEC| & |$! xTab| & |ISPEC| & |$! xTab| & |:STATUS'| ! Output.append($! xRec) ! Collect = object COLLECTION() ! Collect.scope(WORLD) ! Collect.type('PIPE') ! Collect.expression(object EXPRESSION('SUBSTR(NAME, 1,1) eq |/|') ) ! Pipes = ! Collect.Results() ! Names = object ARRAY() Do! Pipe values! Pipes ! Names.append(! Pipe.name) Enddo ! Clues = ! Names.sortedindices() ! Pipes.reindex(! Indices) ! Zones = ARRAY() ! PSpecs = ARRAY() ! ISpecs = ARRAY() ! udaSTATUS = ARRAY() ! I = 1 Do! Pipe values!Pipes -- $p $! Pipe.name ! Zones.append(! Pipe.owner.name) -- q var! Zones ! PSpecs.append(! Pipe.pspec.name) |
Kupdf.net_pdms-pml-manual-1 | do !Pipe index !Pipes
!record = !names[!Pipe] & |$!xTab| & !zones[!Pipe ] & |$!xTab| & !pspes[!Pipe] &
|$!xTab| & !ispes[!Pipe] & |$!xTab| & !stats[!Pip e]
!output.append(!record)
Enddo
!file = object FILE('%PDMSuser%\$!MyProj_PipeList.t xt')
!file.writefile('OVERWRITE',!output)
$p
$p Macro finished
Resulting sample output of PML report (623 records) :
PIPE ZONE PSPEC ISPEC :STATUS
/1"-D173015-11180-H4-0001 /PIP-17000-71 /11180-H4 = 0/0 1
/1"-R172002-11085-R /PIP-17000-FLARE /11180-H4 =0/0 1
/1"-R17200X-11085-R /PIP-17000-FLARE /11180-H4 =0/0 1
/10"-B172001-11380-H1-0001-1 /PIP-17000-FLARE /1138 0-H1 =0/0 1
/10"-B172002-11380-H1-0001-1 /PIP-17000-FLARE /1138 0-H1 =0/0 1
/10"-B172035-11380-H1-0001 /PIP-17000-FLARE /11380- H1 =0/0 1
/10"-B172036-11380-H1-0001 /PIP-17000-FLARE /11380- H1 =0/0 1
PML 2 array sorting
!Project = CURRENT PROJECT
!MyProj = !Project.code()
$p
$p Project: $!MyProj
$p
!TwldX = |*|
!xTab = | |
!output = object ARRAY()
!xRec = |'PIPE| & |$!xTab| & |ZONE| & |$!xTab| & |P SPEC| & |$!xTab| & |ISPEC| & |$!xTab| &
|:STATUS'|
!output.append($!xRec)
!Collect = object COLLECTION()
!Collect.scope(WORLD)
!Collect.type('PIPE')
!Collect.expression(object EXPRESSION('SUBSTR(NAME, 1,1) eq |/|') )
!Pipes = !Collect.results()
!Names = object ARRAY()
do !Pipe values !Pipes
!Names.append(!Pipe.name)
Enddo
!Indices = !Names.sortedindices()
!Pipes.reindex(!Indices)
!Zones = ARRAY()
!PSpecs = ARRAY()
!ISpecs = ARRAY()
!udaSTATUS = ARRAY()
!i = 1
do !Pipe values !Pipes
-- $p $!Pipe.name
!Zones.append(!Pipe.owner.name)
-- q var !Zones
!PSpecs.append(!Pipe.pspec.name) |
Functions, Macros and Object Definitions | PML general futures Functions and Macros are PML Files that contain st ored sequences of commands. The PML FileIs invoked whenever this sequence of comma nds is required. The PML file may Also include control logic which alters the order i n which the commands are carried out and Special commands for handling errors. PML Files are normally created using a text editor.PML Functions and methods on objects (including for ms) are the recommended way of Storing command sequences because: • There is a check that they have been called with t he right type of arguments. • Arguments can return values. • A PML Function oR method can return a result of an y type. Most new AppWare code is written as methods on obj ects. PML Macros are explained in Macros as they are the basis of the older AppWare c ode. PML Macros are normally stored in A directory under the PDMSUI search-path.PML Funct ions are automatically loaded from a Directory under the PMLLIB search-path. Comments are additional text included in a PML Fil e for the benefit of someone reading The PML code. The PML processor ignores comments an d so they do not affect the way theCode executes. For a simple one line comment, begin the line with - - (two dashes) or $* (Dollar and asterisk). - - This is a new-style PML comment - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $* The following lines calculate the new angleYou can also use $* to add an inline comment to any line of PML. A comment may extend Over several lines provided it is enclosed in the e scape sequences: $( and $) $( A comment containing Skip if (! X EQ! Y) More than one line $) At any point wiThin a PML File a return command wi ll stop further execution of the file and Return to the calling PML File, if there is one: If ( count EQ 0 ) then Return Endif For clarity, return can be used as the final line o f a PML Macro. However, the use of thisCommand is not essential and there will be no error if it is not used. Note: This is a different Use of return from the command used to set return v alues of variables. Everything written in PML, including keywords such as if, do and else means the sameThing in upper or lower case. The exception is text enclosed between quotes or vertical bars, Which is used exactly as it is typed. Throughout th is document you will see examples of PML Code using a mixture of upper and lower case for re adability. |
Special Character $ | Abbreviations Many commands have a minimumAbbreviation which ca n be used in place of the full Command. For readability it is recommended that you use the full form of the command — Note that it is not less efficient than using the a bbreviation. PML keywords such as if, else And do have no abbreviations.The $ character has a special meaning in PML. It i s an escape character, which means That together with the character which follows it a re treated as a special instruction to PML. The pair of characters beginning with $ is known as an escape sequence.$P is a commonly Encountered example, which is used to output a mess age to the screen: $P This text will be output to the screen A number of other escape sequences will be described ed later in this manual. The important Point to note here that if yOr need the dollar char acter itself as part of a command, you will Need to double it ($$). As the last character on a line, $ means that the next line is a Continuation line. For example: $P This is an example of a much longer message that will be $ output to the screen$! The PML variable following the! (Gold!!) Is expa nded as a string by using its own . STRING() Method. Note: Real values are automatically expanded with any un it qualify appended if the value is A physical quantity. This is useful on $P lines oR converting real values to strings in Commands. $newline command continues on next line w ithout being automatically closed. $M/filename execute a text file as a sequence of co mmands or an input macro. Named Using its filename or pathname. The Dollar $ symbol and its meanings$M = Runs a macro in pdms $! = Evaluate a variable $. = Terminates a macro $S = Defines a synonym $G = Defines a global synonym $S- = Turns synonyms off $S+ = Turns synonyms On $QS = Query's the synonyms $H = Help $Q = Another syntax help $P = PRints a line to your command line $$ = Adds a $ symbol $D = Default argument value To turn the pml trace on and off I use $R<n> $R0 = Turn trace Off $R6 = Turn trace On $R1 = Tracing to shell window (default) $R2 = Tracing to requests window $R4 = Tracing of only input lines executed $R8 = Tracing of all input lines $R16 = Tracing without $ expression (Default off) $R32 = Tracing includes line numbers $R64 = Tracing of macro/function changes $R100 = General Debugging $R102 = capture trace in ALPHA LOGText strings must be enclosed in either single quo tes, or apostrophes, or vertical bars: ('Apostrophes' or |vertical bars| ). The apostrophe s and vertical bars are known as delimiters. Take great care to avoid unmatched delimiters as th is can lead to many lines of PML codeBeing included as part of the text string, and so l ost. |
Storing and Loading PML Files | Abbreviations
Many commands have a minimum abbreviation which ca n be used in place of the full command. For readability it is recommended that you use the full form of the command — note that it is not less efficient than using the a bbreviation. PML keywords such as if, else
and do have no abbreviations.
The $ character has a special meaning in PML. It i s an escape character, which means that together with the character which follows it a re treated as a special instruction to PML.
The pair of characters beginning with $ is known as an escape sequence. $P is a commonly encountered example, which is used to output a mess age to the screen:
$P This text will be output to the screen
A number of other escape sequences will be describ ed later in this manual. The important point to note here that if you need the dollar char acter itself as part of a command, you will need to double it ($$). As the last character on a line, $ means that the next line is a
continuation line. For example:
$P This is an example of a much longer message that will be $ output to the screen
$! The PML variable following the ! (or !!) is expa nded as a string by using its own .STRING() method.
Note: Real values are automatically expanded with any un it qualifier appended if the value is a physical quantity. This is useful on $P lines or converting real values to strings in commands. $newline command continues on next line w ithout being automatically closed.
$M/filename execute a text file as a sequence of co mmands or an input macro. Named using its filename or pathname.
The Dollar $ symbol and its meanings
$M = Runs a macro in pdms
$! = Evaluate a variable
$. = Terminates a macro
$S = Defines a synonym
$G = Defines a global synonym
$S- = Turns synonyms off
$S+ = Turns synonyms On $QS = Query’s the synonyms
$H = Help
$Q = Another syntax help
$P = Prints a line to your command line
$$ = Adds a $ symbol
$D = Default argument value
To turn the pml trace on and off I use
$R<n>
$R0 = Turn trace Off
$R6 = Turn trace On
$R1 = Tracing to shell window (default)
$R2 = Tracing to requests window
$R4 = Tracing of only input lines executed
$R8 = Tracing of all input lines $R16 = Tracing without $ expression
(default off)
$R32 = Tracing includes line numbers
$R64 = Tracing of macro/function changes
$R100 = General Debugging
$R102 = capture trace in ALPHA LOG
Text strings must be enclosed in either single quo tes, or apostrophes, or vertical bars:
('apostrophes' or |vertical bars| ). The apostrophe s and vertical bars are known as delimiters.
Take great care to avoid unmatched delimiters as th is can lead to many lines of PML code being included as part of the text string, and so lost. |
IF Construct | PML Control logicThere are four types of construct for implementing control logic within a PML Function or Macro. These are: • The if construct for conditional execution of comm ands. • The do command for looping and the associated brea k and skip. • The golabel for jumping to a line with a label.• The handle construct for dealing with errors. The full form of an if-construct is as follows: If (! Word EQ 'Peanuts' OR! Word EQ 'Crisps') then ! Snacks = ! Snacks + 1 ! Meal = FALSE Elseif (! Word EQ 'Soup') then ! Starters = ! Starters + 1! Meal = TRUE Elseif (! Word EQ 'Fruit' Gold! Word EQ 'IceCream' ) t hen ! Puddings = ! Puddings + 1 ! Meal = TRUE Else ! MainCourse =! MainCourse + 1 ! Meal = TRUE Endif Each BOOLEAN expression, such as (! Word EQ 'Soup') , is examined in turn to seeWhether it is TRUE or FALSE. As soon as an expressi on that is TRUE is encountered, the Following block of commands is executed. Once a blo ck of commands has been executed, Everything else up to the endif is ignored. The els e command is optional. If it is included, youCan be sure that exactly one command block within t he if-construct will be executed. The Elseif commands are also optional. Once one of the elseif expressions has been found to be TRUE, any remaining elseif commands are ignored. Th us the simplest form of the if-Construct is: If (! Number LT 0 ) then ! Negative = TRUE Endif You may not concatenate the commands into one line, so the following expressions are not If (! TrueValue OR! UnsetValue) If (! FalseValue AND! UnsetValue) Don't know! UnsetValue if thE value is not required to determine the outcome of the expression. The same is true for PML Functions which have retur ned an error. Any if-construct may contain further if ... elseif ... endif constructs: If (! Number LT 0) then ! Negative = TRUEIf (! Number EQ -1 ) then ! OnlyJustNegative = TRUE Endif Endif It is particularly helpful with nested if construct s to indent the code so that the logic is clear. |
BOOLEAN Expressions and if Statements | IF, THEN, ELSEIF and ELSE Statements An IF construct can beExtended by adding addition al conditions. This is done by adding Either ELSEIF or ELSE to it. When an IF construct i s encountered, PML will evaluate its Condition. If the condition is FALSE, PDMS will loo k to the next ELSEIF condition. Once a ConditiOn is found to be TRUE, that code will be ru n that proportional of the code and the IF Construct is complete. If an ELSE condition is adde d, this portion of code will only be run if The other conditions are never met. This is a way o f ensuring some code is always run.If ($1 EQ 0) THEN $p Your value is zero Elseif ($1 LT 0) THEN $p Your value is less than zero Else $p Your value is Greater than zero Endif The ELSEIF and ELSE commands are optional, but ther e can only be one ELSE command In an IF construct.New expressions based on the operators such as EQ and GT give a BOOLEAN result That can be used directly in a PML2 if test: If (! NewValue - 1 GT 0) then The expression can be a simple variable provided it is a BOOLEAN type variable: ! Success =! NewValue GT 0If (! Success) then The expression could be a user-defined PML Function provided it returns a BOOLEAN Result: if (!! MyFunction() ) then Note: The BOOLEAN constants TRUE, FALSE, YES and NO and t heir single-letter abbreviations Not enclosed in quoTes return BOOLEAN results and s o can be used directly in expressions. For example: Code Result Type If ( TRUE ) BOOLEAN If ( FALSE ) If ( T ) BOOLEAN If ( F ) If ( YES ) BOOLEAN If ( NO ) If ( Y ) BOOLEAN If ( N ) The following do not retUrn BOOLEAN values and are therefore invalid: Code Result Type If ( 1 ) REAL If ( 0 ) If ( 'TRUE' ) STRING If ( 'FALSE' ) If ( 'T' ) STRING If ( 'F' ) Variable = 1 REAL If ($Variable) |
IF TRUE Expression | For upward compatibility with PML1, STRING variable s set to 'TRUE', 'FALSE', 'YES' or 'NO' or their singlE-letter abbreviations can be us ed in an if-test as long as they are Evaluated with a preceding $. For example: Code Result Type Variable = 'TRUE' STRING If ($Variable) There is a built-in PML Method and a function for c onverting a value to BOOLEAN:! MyString = 'TRUE' If (! MyString.Boolean() ) then The Boolean conversion is as follows: Code Result REAL zero FALSE $* All other positive and negative REAL values TRUE STRING 'FALSE, 'F', 'NO' and 'N' FALSE STRING 'false, 'f', 'no' and 'n' FALSESTRING 'TRUE', 'T', 'YES' AND 'Y' TRUE STRING 'true', 't', 'yes' and 'y' TRUE IF TRUE will return a value of the type defined by the second and third arguments. If the Initial Boolean expression is true, the result of t he first expression is returned.If false, the Result of the second expression is returned. Both t he second and third arguments are fully Evaluated regardless of the value of the Boolean. T his is because the function is evaluated Using reverse polish procedure (as is the case of t he expression design).This allows the IF Statement to be nest able with any of the arguments to IF capable of including other IF Functions. If logical1 expression is set to true, then value o f typeX1expression is returned If logical1 Expression is set to false, then vAlue of typeX1 ex pression is returned typeX1 and typeX2 Are two arguments of the same type which may be: Logical Logical Array Real Real Array ID ID Array Text Position Direction For upward compatibility with PML1, STRING variable es set to 'TRUE', 'FALSE', 'YES' or'NO' or their single letter abbreviations can be us ed in an if test as long as they are Evaluated with a preceding $. For example: If ($Variable) where Variable = 'TRUE' STRING OK |
Stopping a DO loop: break and breakif | For upward compatibility with PML1, STRING variable s set to ‘TRUE’, ‘FALSE’, ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ or their single-letter abbreviations can be us ed in an if-test as long as they are evaluated with a preceding $. For example:
Code Result Type
Variable = ‘TRUE‘ STRING
if ($Variable)
There is a built-in PML Method and a function for c onverting a value to BOOLEAN:
!MyString = ‘TRUE’
if (!MyString.Boolean() ) then
The Boolean conversion is as follows:
Code Result
REAL zero FALSE
$* All other positive and negative REAL values TRUE
STRING ‘FALSE, ‘F’, ‘NO’ and ‘N’ FALSE
STRING ‘false, ‘f’, ‘no’ and ‘n’ FALSE
STRING ‘TRUE’, ‘T’, ‘YES’ AND ‘Y’ TRUE
STRING ‘true’, ‘t’, ‘yes’ and ‘y’ TRUE
IF TRUE will return a value of the type defined by the second and third arguments. If the initial Boolean expression is true, the result of t he first expression is returned. If false, the result of the second expression is returned. Both t he second and third arguments are fully
evaluated regardless of the value of the Boolean. T his is because the function is evaluated using reverse polish procedure (as is the case of t he expression design). This allows the IF statement to be nest able with any of the arguments to IF capable of including other IF
functions.
If logical1 expression is set to true, then value o f typeX1expression is returned If logical1 expression is set to false, then value of typeX1 ex pression is returned typeX1 and typeX2 are two arguments of the same type which may be:
Logical
Logical Array
Real
Real Array
ID
ID Array
Text
Position
Direction
For upward compatibility with PML1, STRING variabl es set to ‘TRUE’, ‘FALSE’, ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ or their single letter abbreviations can be us ed in an if test as long as they are evaluated with a preceding $. For example:
if ($Variable) where Variable = ‘TRUE’ STRING OK
|
Nested DO Loops | do! X ! Number = ! Sample[! X] If ((INT(!Number/2) NE (! Number/2)) then Skip Endif ! Result = ! Result +! Number Enddo The skip if command can sometimes be more convenien t: Do! X ! Number = ! Sample[! X] Skip if (INT(! Number/2) NE (! Number/2)) ! Result = ! Result +! Number EnddoYou can nest do-loops one inside the other. The co unter for each loop must have a Different name. Do! X to 10 Do! Y ! Z = ! X +! Y Break if (! Y GT 5) Enddo Enddo The inner-most loop goes through all the values of! Y before the outer loop moves on to theSecond value of! X. Note that the break (or skip) c ommand acts just on the loop containing it - in this case the inner-most loop. DO Index and DO Values are ways of looping through arrays. This is an effective method For controlling the values used for the loops.Typi cally values are collected into an ARRAY Variable then looped through using the following: Do! X values! ARRAY ! X takes each ARRAY element (! X is an element!!!) Enddo Do! X index! ARRAY ! X takes a number from 1 to! ARRAY size (! X is a number!!!) Enddo Type out the following as an example of looping thr ough an ARRAY of values. VAR! Zones COLL ALL ZONES FOR SITE VAR! Names EVAL NAME FOR ALL FROM! Zones Q var! Names Do! X VALUES! Names Q var! X Enddo Do! X INDEX! Names Q var!Names[! X] Enddo |
Jumping to a Labelled Line | DO Values with Arrays of Objects Imagine that we have already defined an object typ e EMPLOYEE which contains a Member of type STRING. We create an array of EMPLOY EE objects and set the Name Member of each of each object. ! MyEmployees[1] = object EMPLOYEE()! MyEmployees[2] = object EMPLOYEE() ! MyEmployees[3] = object EMPLOYEE() ! MyEmployees[1]. Name = 'James' ! MyEmployees[2]. Name = 'Joe' ! MyEmployees[3]. Name = 'Mike' We then wish to create a new array containing just the employees' names. ! Names = ARRAY()Do! Person VALUES! MyEmployees ! Names.Append(! Person.Name) Enddo Each time round the do-loop, the do-variable become s an object of the appropriate type, Even if the array is a heterogeneous mixture of obj ects. The golabel command in PML allowYou to jump to a line with a matching label name LABEL /FRED : : GOLABEL /FRED The label name /FRED has a maximum length of 16 characters , excluding the / slash Which must be present. The next line to be executed will be the line following LABEL /FRED,Which could be before or after the GOLABEL command. Do! A Do! B to 3 ! C = ! A * ! B Golabel /finished if (! C GT 100) ! Total = ! Total +! C Enddo Enddo Label /finished $P Total is $! Total If the expression! C GT 100 is TRUE there wIll be a jump to LABEL /FINISHED and PML Execution will continue with the line $P Total is $! Total If the expression is FALSE , PML execution will continue with the line: ! Total = ! Total +! C |
Errors and Error Handling | Illegal Jumping The following is an illegal jump into a nested do b lock. It is however allowed to jump out ofA nested block to a line in an enclosing block. Golabel /illegaL Do! Count to 5 ! Total = ! Total +! Count Label /illegal Enddo An error condition can occur because a command cou ld not complete successfully or Because of a mistake in a PML Macro or function.Th e presence of an error normally has Three effects: • An Alert box appears which the user must acknowled ge • An error message is output together with a trace b ack of any calling macros or Functions. • Any currently running PML Macros and functions are abandoned.This example of an error is caused by an attempt to use a PML Variable that does not exist: (46,28) ERROR - Variable FRED not defined The 46 is the module or program section which identified the error and is the error code itself Is 28 . If thE input line had been typed interactively th at is the end of the story. However, if the Input line was part of a PML Macro or function the error may optionally be handled. An error arising during the processing of a PML Ma cro or function does not immediatelyGive rise to an error message - this depends on the next line of input. Provided the next Command processed by PML is a matching handle comma nd, the error is not output and the Commands within the matching handleblock are proces sed instead. Elsehandle blocks mayOptionally also be present - if the handle block do es not match the error one elsehandle will Be processed - if it matches the error: $* a command causes Error(46, 28) Handle (46, 27) $* handle block - not processed this time Elsehandle (46, 28)$* The commands in this matching handle block are processed Next Elsehandle ANY $* An ANY Handle Block is processed for any error s. In this position it would handle errors Other than (46, 27) and (46,28) Elsehandle NONE $* A NONE Handle BloCk is processed only if there were no errors Endhandle $* This line is processed after the handle block. If (46,27) matches the error, PML processes the com mands in that handle block instead of Outputting an error. Processing of the current PML MAcro or function continues at the line After the endhandle command. |
Setting the ONERROR Behavior | Illegal Jumping
The following is an illegal jump into a nested do b lock. It is however permitted to jump out of a nested block to a line in an enclosing block.
golabel /illegaL
do !Count to 5
!Total = !Total + !Count
label /illegal
enddo
An error condition can occur because a command cou ld not complete successfully or because of a mistake in a PML Macro or function. Th e presence of an error normally has three effects:
• An Alert box appears which the user must acknowled ge
• An error message is output together with a trace b ack of any calling macros or functions.
• Any currently running PML Macros and functions are abandoned.
This example of an error is caused by an attempt to use a PML Variable that does not exist:
(46,28) ERROR - Variable FRED not defined
The 46 is the module or program section which identified the error and is the error code itself is 28 . If the input line had been typed interactively th at is the end of the story. However, if the input line was part of a PML Macro or function the error may optionally be handled.
An error arising during the processing of a PML Ma cro or function does not immediately give rise to an error message - this depends on the next line of input. Provided the next command processed by PML is a matching handle comma nd, the error is not output and the
commands within the matching handleblock are proces sed instead. Elsehandle blocks may optionally also be present - if the handle block do es not match the error one elsehandle will be processed - if it matches the error:
$* a command causes Error(46, 28)
handle (46, 27)
$* handle block - not processed this time
elsehandle (46, 28)
$* The commands in this matching handle block are processed
next
elsehandle ANY
$* An ANY Handle Block is processed for any error s. In this position it would handle errors
other than (46, 27) and (46,28)
elsehandle NONE
$* A NONE Handle Block is processed only if there were no errors
Endhandle
$* This line is processed after the handle block.
If (46,27) matches the error, PML processes the com mands in that handle block instead of
outputting an error. Processing of the current PML Macro or function continues at the line
after the endhandle command. |
Handling Files and Directories | return error You can also re-instate the error but suppress the alert using the command: Return error noalert To generate a new error (or replace an error with y our own error) plus an optional message, Use one of the followingReturn error 1 Return error 1 'Your error message' Return error 1 NOALERT To handle such an error there is a special form of the handle command: Handle 1 PML code to handle a user-defined error number Endhandle Reading and writing files isGreatly simplified by using the FILE object. This chapter Describes the methods most frequently used for read ing and writing. Methods are also Provided for moving, copying and deleting files and extracting information such as the Pathname of a file,Its size data and time last mod ified. A FILE object may refer to a directory Rather than a file and methods are provided for nav igating around the directory structure. For A complete list of the methods available, refer to the Software Customization ReferenceManual. A file object is created by invoking the FILE cons tructor with the name of the file as its Argument. For example: ! MyFile = object FILE ('c:\users\bob\list.txt') ! MyFile = object FILE (/net/usr/bob/list') ! MyFile = object FILE ('%PDMSUSER%\bob\list.Txt') At this stage, the file may or may not exist — cre ating the FILE object does not open or Access the file in any way. This example reads pair s of numbers from file data, adds them Together and writes the answers to file RESULTS. ! Input = object FILE('DATA')! Input.Open('READ') ! Output = object FILE('RESULTS') ! Output.Open('WRITE') C ! Line = ! Input.ReadRecord() If (! Line.set()) then ! Array = ! Line.Split() ! Total = ! Array[1]. Real() +! Array[2]. Real() ! Output.WriteRecord( ! Total.String() )Else Estate car Endif Enddo ! Output.Close() ! Input.Close() |
Writing to Files | Reading from Files When reading a file one line at a time using the R eadRecord() method you must open the File first with the Open('READ') method and close i t afterwards with the Close() method. Each line read from the file wilL be returned as a STRING until the end of the file is reached, When you will get an UNSET STRING returned. The UNS ET string can be detected using The STRING object's Set() method (or Unset()) When you open a file for writing, the file will be created if it does not already exist.If you Use Open('WRITE') and the file already exists, the user will be shown an alert asking Whether the file can be overwritten. Alternatively you may specify OVERWRITE, to force Overwriting of a file if it already exists or APPEN D if you want to add to the end of a file if itAlready exists. You will obtain much quicker performance if you re ad or write an entire array in a single Operation. In particular you are recommended to use the ReadFile() method which returns The whole file as an array of strings, opening and closing the file automatically:! Input = object FILE('DATA') ! Output = object FILE('RESULTS') ! Lines = ! Input.ReadFile() ! ResultArray = ARRAY() Do! Line VALUES! Lines ! Numbers = ! Line.Split() ! Total = ! Numbers[1]. Real() +! Numbers[2]. Real() ! ResultArray.Append( ! Total.String() )Enddo ! Output.WriteFile('WRITE', ! ResultArray) Note: With the ReadFile() method you may optionally specify the maximum number r of Lines you are prepared to read and an error is rais ed if this number is exceeded. If not Specified, a limit of 10000 is imposed.Errors will mainly be encountered when an attempt is made to open a file that does not Exist, has been mistyped or to which you do not hav e access. Anticipated errors may be Dealt with in a handle command following use of the Open() method. The errors mostCommonly encountered include the following: (160,7) Argument to method is incorrect (160,9) File does not exist (160,36) Unable to read file record, file is not op en (160,37) Unable to write file record, file is not o pen (160,44) File exists, userDoes not want to overwri te it (160,47) File length has exceeded N lines (41,319) Cannot access file (Privileges insufficien t) |
PML Macros | Macros are command sequences that are stored in te xt files. To access a macro file and Input the command sequence to your program, you run the macro. The file is scanned line-By-line, with exactly the same effect as if you wer e typing the lines in from a keyboard. Macro files may include synonyms and user-defined v ariables. They may also act on data Which you define when you give the command to run t he macro (parameterized macros).Macros are permanent records which may be called fr om within any working session of a Program. A macro file can be given any name that conforms t o the naming conventions of the Operating system. The suffix .mac is often used to indicate that the filename is that of aMacro, but this is optional. The process of reading the contents of a macro file as program Input is known as running the macro . The program does not discriminate between input From the GUI, the keyboard, or a macro file. To run a macro, enter: $M filenameWhere filename is the pathname of the macro file. The filename may optionally be preceded By a slash (/) character. If you give only the name of the file, the program will look for it in the Directory from which you executed the program. An e rror meSsage will be output if the file Cannot be found and opened for reading. It is often convenient to write a macro in a gener alized form, using parameters to Represent dimensions, part numbers etc., and to ass ign specific values to those parameters Only when the macro is to be run.In the simplest c ase, parameters are allocated positions in The command lines as macro arguments by inserting e scape codes of the form $n where n is An integer in the range 1 to 9. These arguments are then specified as part of the command To run the macro.They follow the macro name, with spaces separating the individual Arguments. For example, if a macro named beam.mac i ncludes the command line NEW BOX XLEN $1 YLEN $2 ZLEN $3 Then the macro call $M/BEAM.MAC 5000 200 300 will run the macro and will set the lengthsDefined as $1, $2, $3 to 5000, 200 and 300 respecti vely. Arguments may be either values or Text, but note that a space in a text string will b e interpreted as a separator between two Different arguments. Apostrophes in text arguments are treated as parts of the arguments,Not as separators between them. For example, if a d demonstration macro arg.mac includes The lines: $P First Argument is $1 $P Second Argument is $2 $P Third Argument is $3 And is called by the command $M arg.mac 'Arg1a Arg1b' 'Arg2' 'Arg3' The resulting output will beFirst Argument is 'Arg1a' Second Argument is 'Arg1b' Third Argument is 'Arg2' Whereas the intended output was First Argument is 'Arg1a Arg1b' Second Argument is 'Arg2' Third Argument is 'Arg3' |
Using Macros and Functions Together | Macros
Macros are command sequences that are stored in te xt files. To access a macro file and input the command sequence to your program, you run the macro. The file is scanned line-by-line, with exactly the same effect as if you wer e typing the lines in from a keyboard.
Macro files may include synonyms and user-defined v ariables. They may also act on data which you define when you give the command to run t he macro (parameterized macros).
Macros are permanent records which may be called fr om within any working session of a program.
A macro file can be given any name that conforms t o the naming conventions of the operating system. The suffix .mac is often used to indicate that the filename is that of a macro, but this is optional. The process of reading the contents of a macro file as program
input is known as running the macro . The program does not discriminate between input from the GUI, the keyboard, or a macro file. To run a macro, enter: $M filename
where filename is the pathname of the macro file. The filename may optionally be preceded by a slash (/) character. If you give only the name of the file, the program will look for it in the directory from which you executed the program. An e rror message will be output if the file cannot be found and opened for reading.
It is often convenient to write a macro in a gener alized form, using parameters to represent dimensions, part numbers etc., and to ass ign specific values to those parameters only when the macro is to be run. In the simplest c ase, parameters are allocated positions in
the command lines as macro arguments by inserting e scape codes of the form $n where n is an integer in the range 1 to 9. These arguments are then specified as part of the command to run the macro. They follow the macro name, with spaces separating the individual
arguments. For example, if a macro named beam.mac includes the command line
NEW BOX XLEN $1 YLEN $2 ZLEN $3
then the macro call $M/BEAM.MAC 5000 200 300 will run the macro and will set the lengths defined as $1, $2, $3 to 5000, 200 and 300 respecti vely. Arguments may be either values or text, but note that a space in a text string will b e interpreted as a separator between two
different arguments. Apostrophes in text arguments are treated as parts of the arguments, not as separators between them. For example, if a d emonstration macro arg.mac includes the lines:
$P First Argument is $1
$P Second Argument is $2
$P Third Argument is $3
and is called by the command $M arg.mac ’Arg1a Arg1b’ ’Arg2’ ’Arg3’
the resulting output will be
First Argument is ’Arg1a’
Second Argument is ’Arg1b’
Third Argument is ’Arg2’
whereas the intended output was
First Argument is ’Arg1a Arg1b’
Second Argument is ’Arg2’
Third Argument is ’Arg3’ |
PML2 Functions and Objects | PML 1 Hierarchy All PML1 Macros are in a directory structure point ed at by the variable PDMSUI. The PDMSUI environment variable Set PDMSUI=C:\AVEVA\plant\PDMS12.0.2\pdmsui Picture Nr.2. - PML1 File hierarchy Standard AVEVA environment variable are set in a b at files called EVAR.bat in the Executable directory. All PML1 macros and forms ar e called using synonyms For example The macros and forms associated with piping are cal led using the synonym CALLP:$S CALLP=$M/%PDMSUI%/DES/PIPE/$s1 CALLP MPIPE Note: This is why if all synonyms are killed that PDMS w ill no longer work properly. It is normal practice to create a parallel hierarch y to contain any new or modified PML. These modifications canThen be called by modifying the PDMSUI variable to point at a multi Path. This can be done by putting a new file path i n front of the %PDMSUI% definition. This Will update the PDMSUI environment variable to incl ude the specified file path. Set PDMSUI=c:\pmltraining\PDMSUI %pdmsui% The new file path should go in front of %PDMSUI% so this area is checked first for content. Once content is found, other locations will not be searched. This modification should be Done after the PDMSUI environment variable has been defined.This can be done at the Bottom of the EVAR.bat file or in the PDMS.bat file (after the line which calls evar.bat). The Environment variables can be checked with PDMS by u sing the q evar syntax q evar PDMSUI Or q evar 'SAM000' . The PMLLIB environmentNt variable points to a PML2 di rectory structure. Set PMLLIB= C:\AVEVA\plant\PDMS12.0.2\pmllib Picture Nr.3. - PML2 File hierarchy There are 3 new file extensions .pmlfnc for Functi ons, .pmlfrm for Forms and .pmlobj for Objects, with these extensiOns the files will be lo aded by PDMS automatically when the Program is started. Functions are loaded by PDMS an d are run by typing the following !! Mymac(). This runs file mymac.pmlfnc. Forms are d isplayed by typing Show!! Myform or !! Myform.show()ObjEcts have to be assigned to a var iable before they can be used i.e.! X = Object MyObject() It is normal practice to create a parallel hierarc hy to contain any new or modified PML. These modifications can then be called by modifying the PMLLIB variable to point at a multi |
Updating PDMSUI and PMLLIB | path. This canBe done by putting a new file path i n front of the %PMLLIB% definition. This Will update the PMLLIB environment variable to incl ude the specified file path. Set pmllib=c:\pmltraining\PMLLIB %pmllib% The new file path should go in front of %PMLLIB% s o this area is checked first for Happy. Once content is found, other locations wil l not be searched. This modification should Be done after the PMLLIB environment variable has b een defined. This can be done at the Bottom of the EVAR.bat file or in the PDMS.Bat file (after the line which calls evar.bat). In AVEVA products environment variables can be checked using the q evar syntax i.e. q evar Pmllib. Edit the Evar.bat file to include multi paths for PDMSUI and PMLLIB. These settings Should be made at the bottom of the evar.Bat file Set pdmsui=c:\pmltraining\pdmsui %pdmsui% Set pmllib=c:\pmltraining\pmllib %pmllib% The setting of the variable can be checked in AVEV A Plant Design (PDMS) using the Following commands: q evar pdmsui and q evar pmllib . If a pmllib file is c once items haveBeen loaded by PDMS, it needs to be reloaded. This can be done by typing either pml Reload form!! NAME or pml reload object NAME If a new file is to pmllib, the files can be Remapped so PDMS knows where it is located. This is done by typing pml rehash onto theCommand line. This will update the first file locat ion in the search path. To update all search Paths, type pml rehash all . An object is a PML grouping of information. It may have MEMBERS (used to hold data) And METHODS (used to complete an action).Once assi gned to a variable, that variable Becomes an instance of that object. This means that variable will behave as the object Definition. While it is possible to create user-def ined objects (discussed later), PDMS is Supplied with a large number of built-in objects.A full list of these can be found in the PDMS Software Customization Reference Manual. For exampl e, type! Pos = object position() onto The command line. Query the variable and check the results against the members of a Position object listed in the reference manual.When working with built-in objects, there may also be BUILT-IN METHODS (object Dependents). These methods have been defined to com plete certain actions applicable to Object. For example, type the following into the co mmand line: ! Value = |56| !Result = ! Value * 2 This example will have caused an error as a string cannot be used in an expression like This. To avoid the error, refer to the STRING objec t in the Reference Manual and find the .Real() method. This method translates the variableE from a STRING to a REAL so that it can Be used in the expression. The! Value remains a str ing, but! Results now becomes a REAL E.g. ! Value = |56| ! Result = ! Value.real() * 2 |
Method Concatenation | path. This can be done by putting a new file path i n front of the %PMLLIB% definition. This will update the PMLLIB environment variable to incl ude the specified file path.
Set pmllib=c:\pmltraining\PMLLIB %pmllib%
The new file path should go in front of %PMLLIB% s o this area is checked first for content. Once content is found, other locations wil l not be searched. This modification should be done after the PMLLIB environment variable has b een defined. This can be done at the
bottom of the EVAR.bat file or in the PDMS.bat file (after the line which calls evar.bat). In AVEVA products environment variables can be checked using the q evar syntax i.e. q evar pmllib.
Edit the Evar.bat file to include multi paths for PDMSUI and PMLLIB. These settings should be made at the bottom of the evar.bat file
Set pdmsui=c:\pmltraining\pdmsui %pdmsui%
Set pmllib=c:\pmltraining\pmllib %pmllib%
The setting of the variable can be checked in AVEV A Plant Design (PDMS) using the following commands: q evar pdmsui and q evar pmllib . If a pmllib file is c once items have been loaded by PDMS, it needs to be reloaded. This can be done by typing either pml
reload form !!NAME or pml reload object NAME If a new file is to pmllib, the files can be remapped so PDMS knows where it is located. This is done by typing pml rehash onto the command line. This will update the first file locat ion in the search path. To update all search
paths, type pml rehash all .
An object is a PML grouping of information. It may have MEMBERS (used to hold data) and METHODS (used to complete an action). Once assi gned to a variable, that variable becomes an instance of that object. This means that variable will behave as the object
definition. While it is possible to create user-def ined objects (discussed later), PDMS is supplied with a large number of built-in objects. A full list of these can be found in the PDMS Software Customization Reference Manual. For exampl e, type !pos = object position() onto
the command line. Query the variable and check the results against the members of a position object listed in the reference manual.
When working with built-in objects, there may also be BUILT-IN METHODS (object dependents). These methods have been defined to com plete certain actions applicable to object. For example, type the following into the co mmand line:
!value = |56|
!result = !value * 2
This example will have caused an error as a string cannot be used in an expression like this. To avoid the error, refer to the STRING objec t in the Reference Manual and find the .real() method. This method translates the variable from a STRING to a REAL so that it can
be used in the expression. The !value remains a str ing, but !results now becomes a REAL e.g.
!value = |56|
!result = !value.real() * 2
|
PML2 Functions | ! Easting = !! CE.Href.Cpar[1] Cata parameter member (attribute) of a DBREF objec t. If the!! CE object member is an object with built-in metho ds, these methods can also be called: ! PosWRTValve = !! CE.Hpos.WRT(ZONE) POSITION object w.r.t the owning ZONE This process can also be reversed allowing the sett ing of attributes for the CE. This meansThat it is possible to record the current value of an attribute, modify and reassign back to the CE. For example, type out the following onto the co mmand line: ! Pos = !! CE.Pos Q POS ! Pos.Up = 2000 !! CE.Pos = ! Pos Q POS These lines will have moved the CE up by 2000.Try this example again with some other Attributes. Functions are new style macros which are pre-loade d by PDMS and can be called Directly. For example, to call the function called FuncName.pmlfnc, type!! FuncName() onto The command line. A function is defined within a .P mlfnc file stored within the PMLLIB file Path. For an example of a function, type the follow ing into a new file and save it as c:\pmltraining\pmllib\functions\NameCE.pmlfnc. Define function!! NameCE() ! This = !! CE.fullname $p $! This EndfunctionTo run this function, type!! NameCE() onto the comm and line. You will notice the full name is Printed below it. This is an example of a NON-RETUR N function with NO ARGUMENTS. Yew The function can be given arguments which are then assigned to variables with the function.If a variable is returned, this means that the func tion can be assigned to another variable or As part of a calculation. Type out the following, a nd save it as c:\pmltraining\pmllib\functions\Area.pmlfnc: Define function!! Area(! Radius is REAL) is REAL! CircleArea = ! Radius.Power(2) * 3.142 Return! CircleArea Endfunction As this function is an example of a RETURN function with an ARGUEMENT, it can be used As part of an expression. The returned value is bas ed the functions argument and its type(REAL in this case ). ! Height = 64 ! CylinderVolume = !! Area(2.3) *! Height Q var! CylinderVolume As indicated by the !!, functions are global. This means that once defined, they can be called By any form or method within PDMS minimizing repeti tive code. |
Composing Text | Using PML in AVEVA Products Most of this maNual describes how to use PML 2 to create and customize Forms and Menus. This chapter describes how to use PML within AVEVA products. Note that for tasks Such as defining Rules and Report Templates, you ar e restricted to the PML 1 expressions PackageDescribed in the Software Customization Reference Manual, and it is also Sometimes necessary to use the VAR command. It is sometimes necessary to arrange text in multi ple columns. The COMPOSE facility of The VAR command will help you do this. For examPle, if we create the following text string: ! A = 'The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dogs' To compose the text we might use the following comm and: VAR! Table COMPOSE |$! A| WIDTH 11 C SPACES 2 |$! A| WIDTH 15 R This would give the following output:Index Value [1] The quick The quick brown' [2] brown fox jumped over' [3] jumped over the lazy dogs' [4] the lazy ' [5] dogs ' COMPOSE always returns an array with at least one element. The number of array Elements depends on the length ofThe text strings supplied and the width of each column. Notice that all of the STRING array elements are sp ace-padded to the same length. Following the COMPOSE keyword is a list of column d definitions. For each column, there is a Text string, such as |$!A| which evaluates to a tex t string, followed by the column layout Keywords in any order: Keyword Effect WIDTH n Specifies the space-padded width of this column. If not specified the width Of the column will be the length of the input strin g. SPACES n Specifies the number spaces between this and the ne xt column. L LEFT Specifies text is to be aligned along the left edge of the column. R RIGHT Specifies text aligned along the right edge of the column C CENTRE Specifies justification in the center of the column .DELIMITER ' ' This can optionally be used to specify an alternati ve delimiter at which to Break the input. By default the text will be split at a white-space character such as space Which may be removed from the output text. If the d elimiter is specified as an empty string,The text will be split at the column edge whatever the content. The following are used to pass the name of a varia ble into PDMS as part of a stored Expression so that the value is taken when PDMS pro cesses the stored expression rather Than PML extracTing the value at the time the line is read: VVALUE( ! X ) VTEXT(! AString ) VLOGICAL( ! Boolean) |
Accessing DB Elements As Objects | Using PML in PDMS The following facilities are only applicable to PDM S. A special global variable!! CE has been provided w hich always refers to the current Element in the database.!! CE can be used to obtain the DB reference of the current Element: ! Item = !! THIS !! CE is of type DBREF so the new variable! Item wil l also be of type DBREF. The dot Notation can be used to access attributes and pseud o-attributes of a database element:! Bore = ! Item.bore This form of access can also be used directly on th e !! CE variable: ! Owner = !! CE.owner It is also possible to follow references between DB elements using this mechanism: ! Rating = !! CE.cref.pspec.rating Assigning a new reference to the!! CE variable make s the new reference the current element By navigating to it in the database: !! THIS =!! CE.owner P-points are accessed using the P-point number like an array subscript. For example, to Access the direction of P-point[1]: ! Dir = !! CE.Pdirection[1] $*! Dir is a DIRECTION ob ject To access the position of P-point[3]: ! Pos = !! CE.Pposition[3] $*! Pos is a POSITION obje ct A NULREF is treated as UNSET, so a NULREF can be te sted for in two ways: If (! MyDBRef EQ NULREF ) thenIf ( UNSET( ! MyDBRef ) ) then There is also the function BADREF which will detect whether a database reference is unset Or invalid (i.e. impossible to navigate to): If (BADREF(! MyDBRef ) ) then . . . Note: Use full-length names for attributesAs listed in the Appendix for compatibility with Future releases. You can assign a new value to aDBREF attribute, en suring that the type of the new value Matches the type of the attribute !! CE.Built = TRUE |
Accessing Information About a Session | You can still assign an attribute value in this way even if the PML DBREF is not the current Element': ! A = !! THIS !! THIS =!! CE.Owner ! A.Built = TRUE You can even assign a PML object, such as POSITION, where this corresponds to the typeOf the attribute: Note that where the type of an attribute is a PML o bject, it is not possible to set an object Member value, such as the up value of a POSITION, d irectly - this must be done in two Internships: ! Pos = !! CE.Position ! Pos.Up = 2000 !!CE.Position =! Pos A number of special commands have been provided to set a PML Variable with Information about the current session. The commands are: Current Session, Sessions, Projects, Teams, Users, MDBs, DBs These commands can be used as in the following exam ple.The SESSION object has a Method that returns name of the MDB in the current session. Hence: ! C = current session ! CurrentMDB = ! C.MDB() This will set! CurrentMDB to the name of the curren t MDB. Using the facilities described here you can createAn expression and have it evaluated for all Elements which satisfy particular selection criteri a. The results of the expression are then Placed in a named array. The command syntax is: VAR! Array EVALUATE (Expression) FOR select COUNTVA R! Counter Where: ! Array is the name of the array that will be created to c ontain the results of (expression) for All the elements selected within select. (Expression) is the expression that will be carried out for all the elements that match the Select criteria.Select is the selection criteria (see above, and the rele vant Reference Manual for your Product for details of selection criteria) COUNTVAR is an optional command which allows you to record how often the expression is Calculated in Counter , whichIs increased by one e ach time the expression is evaluated. You can append the results of such an evaluation to an existing array using the APPEND Keyword. For example: VAR! BOXES APPEND EVALUATE ( XLEN*YLEN ) FOR ALL BOXES will add the values calculationAted from the express ssion for all BOXES to the (already Existing) array BOXES. You can also overwrite eleme nts in the array by specifying the first Index in the array which you want to be overwritten . The specified index, and the indexes Following it,Will be overwritten by the results of the evaluation. For example: |
RAW keyword When setting Variables with VAR | VAR! BOXES[99] EVALUATE ( XLEN*YLEN ) FOR ALL BOXES Will place the result of the first evaluation for t he selected elements at index 99, overwriting Any existing item,And the following results in the subsequent array elements. Programs that use the Forms and Menus interface (e .g. the DESIGN, DRAFT and ISODRAFT modules) strip out line feeds and compress consecutive spaces to a single Space before text strings are assigned to array var iables.If this is not the effect you want, You can suppress this automatic editing by includin g the RAW keyword into the variable- Setting command line for these programs. The syntax for setting array variable elements to Unedited text strings is VAR! VarName RAW ... Where ... represents any of the standard VAR syntax f or setting variables. The Undo and Redo functionality has been exposed t o PML so you can create your own Set of undoable events. There are several ways PDMS adds entries to the undo system: • Using the MARKDB / ENDMARKDB commands. The syntax is as follows: MARKDB 'Text' • where text is an optional description to be includ ed with the mark. This causes a mark To be made in the database and an entry made in the undo stack. You should makeYour database changes, and then use the command END MARKDB • By creating a PML undoable object and adding it to the undo stack. See the Software Customization Reference Manual for a fuller descript tion of this object. You should Create an undoable objeCt, set up the undo and redo execution strings, and then Call the method add() to mark the database and add the undoable to the undo Stack. Make your database changes, and then call th e method end Undoable(). • Automatically whenever a model element iS moved us ing graphical interaction Techniques in Model Editor. Additionally you may re gister to be informed whenever An undo or redo operation has taken place, using th e PML PostEvents object. See The Software Customization Reference Manual for a fUller description of this object. After an undoable has been removed from the stack a nd its state recovered then the user Supplied method on the PostEvents object is called, and will be passed the description text That was associated with the undoable object. |
Assignment | Copies and References Assignment using = , the assignMent operator, usua lly does what you would expect, but a Detailed explanation of how the different data type s are handled may be helpful. Assignment always makes a copy of the right-hand-s ide to replace what is on the left- Hand side. The following command copies!Y into! X: ! X = ! Y If, for example, ! Y is an array, this command will duplicate the entire array making a copy of Each of the array elements. The same is true if! Y is an OBJECT. The technical term for this Is deep copy. Following this copy! X[1] = 'New Value'Will change! X[1] but leave the original array! Y u nchanged. !! Form and!! Form.Gadget are both PML references. A fter the command: ! X = !! Form.Gadget ! X is now a new reference, but the gadget itself ha s not been copied. Both PML Variables Now refer to the same gadget.! X.val = 'New Value' !! Form.Gadget = 'New Value' Will both have the same effect and will assign a ne w value original gadget. You can think of a Reference as another name for the same object or va riable. !! CE is a DB reference. Following the command:! X = !! THIS ! X is now a new reference to the same DB element, b ut the element itself has not been Copied. ! Value = ! X.Attribute Will now return an attribute of the current element . When the current element changes, !! THIS Will point to a new DB element.In this example, ! X will not be changed but remains as a Reference to the previous current element. Because!! CE is special, !! THIS =! X Will navigate to a new current element provided! X is another DB reference. In this example The command would nAvigate to the previous current element. Where! Y is an array or object: ! X = ! Y |
Function Arguments | will make a deep copy of! Y. However, if any of the array elements is a reference (e.g. to a Gadget or DB element), a copy is made of the reference, but not of the object it refers to. In Other words a deep copy stops copying when it reach ed a reference.A function argument is a PML reference to a value or object outside the function. In effect The argument is another name for the original PML V ariable. If we define a PML Function Such as the following: Define function!! ChangeIt (! Argument is STRING)! Argument = 'New Value' $P! Argument $P!! Global Var Endfunction Then invoke the function like this: !! GlobalVar = 'Old Value' !! ChangeIt (!! GlobalVar) The values printed for! Argument and!! GlobalVar wi ll both be 'NewValue'. Warning: Be veryCareful about changing function arguments. It is a powerful feature capable of causing Unexpected results. Passing a constant as a function argument, such as a STRING in quotes, means the Argument is read only and cannot be assigned a new value. So if we define a functionDefine function!! ChangeString( ! Argument is STRING ) ! Argument = 'New Value' Endfunction The following will change the value of ! S: ! S = 'Old Value' !! ChangeString ( ! S ) However, the following will result in a PML error m essage because the value passed to theFunction as an argument is a CONSTANT STRING value which cannot be modified. !! ChangeString ( 'OldValue' ) $* WRONG A form or gadget value passed as a function argume nt is read only so cannot be Assigned a new value. If you wish to change the val ueOf a gadget passed as an argument, Pass the gadget itself as an argument, not its value: Define function!! ChangeValue( ! Argument is GADGET) ! Argument.val = 'NewValue' Endfunction PDMS Database Attribute are read only, and so they cannot be given new values byAssigning to them. |
Using Unicode Text | will make a deep copy of !Y. However, if any of the array elements is a reference (e.g. to a gadget or DB element), a copy is made of the refere nce, but not of the object it refers to. In other words a deep copy stops copying when it reach ed a reference.
A function argument is a PML reference to a value or object outside the function. In effect the argument is another name for the original PML V ariable. If we define a PML Function such as the following:
define function !!ChangeIt ( !Argument is STRING)
!Argument = 'New Value'
$P !Argument
$P !!Global Var
Endfunction
Then invoke the function like this:
!!GlobalVar = ‘Old Value’
!!ChangeIt (!!GlobalVar)
The values printed for !Argument and !!GlobalVar wi ll both be 'NewValue'. Warning: Be very careful about changing function arguments. It is a powerful feature capable of causing unexpected results.
Passing a constant as a function argument, such as a STRING in quotes, means the argument is read only and cannot be assigned a new value. So if we define a function
define function !!ChangeString( !Argument is STRING )
!Argument = 'New Value'
Endfunction
The following will change the value of !S:
!S = ‘Old Value’
!!ChangeString ( !S )
However, the following will result in a PML error m essage because the value passed to the function as an argument is a CONSTANT STRING value which cannot be modified.
!!ChangeString ( 'OldValue' ) $* WRONG
A form or gadget value passed as a function argume nt is read only so cannot be
assigned a new value. If you wish to change the val ue of a gadget passed as an argument,
pass the gadget itself as an argument, not its valu e:
define function !!ChangeValue( !Argument is GADGET)
!Argument.val = 'NewValue'
endfunction
PDMS Database Attribute are read only, and so they cannot be given new values by assigning to them.
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File Transcoding Utility | • UTF32BE UTF32 big-endian • ISO • LATIN1 ISO8859-1 • LATIN2 ISO8859-2• LATIN5 ISO8859-5 Cyrillic • Windows code page • CP932 Japanese shift-JIS • CP936 Simplified Chinese GBK • CP949 Korean • CP950 Traditional Chinese Big5 • CP1250 Central European • CP1251 Cyrillic • CP1252 LATIN1 + some extras (beware) • For backWards compatibility with legacy PDMS Proje cts • JAPANESE Japanese shift-JIS • CHINESE Simplified Chinese (EUC) • KOREAN Korean (EUC) • TCHINESE Traditional Chinese (used in Taiwan for e example) (EUC) PDMS provides a file transcoding utility transc.exE which users may find useful, particularly For moving files between PDMS12.1 and previous PDMS versions. Transc is a command line Application to transcode files from one encoding to another, and can also be used to add or Remove the BOM from existing UTF8 (or UTF16) files.The basic syntax is: Transc -encoding> <input-file> -encoding> <output-f ile> See Transc - text file transcoding utility.doc for more details. The major design decision for the Unicode conversi on of PDMS was to use (32bit) Unicode Scalar (US) iNstead of ASCII codes as it's integer character representation (holding Strings, with up to 4 bytes to represent 1 characte r. The section below describes a few Important properties of Unicode Scalars and the UTF 8 format. Character. Unicode assumes tHat the 32 bit range wi ll cope uniquely with all the world's Character sets. Codes. To be able to clearly distinguish the number of cha racters held and the number of bytes Needed to represent them - as they cannot be assume d to be the same. Either direction.Search in either direction, and every first byte yi elds the number of bytes in the character. /, &, space, ~ etc.) then subsequent bytes of the c haracter are never ASCII bytes. So when You've found an ASCII byte it is a genuine characte r and not part of another character. |
Diagnostic Messages From Within PML Files | PML Tracing If a PML File does not appear to be running in the way you expect the easiest thing to do Is to turn on PML Tracing with the command: PML TRACE ON With PML Tracing switched on, each of the PML lines executed is output to the parentWindow together with its line number. Additional tr acing messages tell you when you have Begun to process a new PML File and when it has fin ished. To turn off tracing type: PML TRACE OFF These commands can also be put into a PML File on a temporary basis.You can also turn PML tracing on by setting the Environment Variable PMLTRACE to ON before you start the Program. For more precise control of PML tracing yo u can use the $R command. $R100 is The equivalent of PML TRACE ON and $R0 is the same as PML TRACE OFF.Type the Command $HR for online help on how to use the $R command. It is often useful to output a line to the screen from within a running PML File to indicate That the execution of the program has reached a par ticular stage. Use the $P command: $P! Total is: $! Total and! Maximum is: $! Maximum Note: The use of $ to convert the value of a variable to a STRING. The alpha-log is a file containing a record of all the commands processed together with Any text output and error messages. To startRecord ing use one of the following commands: Alpha log /filename $* to open a new file Alpha log /filename OVERWRITE $* to replace an exis ting file Alpha log /filename APPEND $* to add to an existing file To finish recording and close the file use:Alpha log END The alpha-log does not include standard PML tracin g from the command PML TRACE ON. For PML tracing to be included in the alpha-log , PML tracing should be directed to the Alpha-window. For example, to obtain standard PML t racing in the alpha-log use theCommand: $R102 Refer to the online help given by $HR for other opt ions. If you cannot find out what is going wrong by mean s of PML trace output or writing out the Values of PML Variables, you may suspend a running PML File at a particular point byIncluding the command: |
Querying PML | $M You Can then query the valuesOf any PML Variables of i nterest and even change the values of Some PML Variables. To resume processing of the sus pended PML File type into the Command line: $M+ Use these facilities only for debugging and do not leave these commands in a finished PMLFile. Note: These facilities do not apply to PML Functions or m ethods. A variety of queries are available to help diagnos e problems. Typically you might type These queries into the command line while a PML File is suspended. Alternatively you could Include any of these commands temporarily within a PML File. If you are interested in the name of the currently running PML File and the other PML Files from which the current file was invoked use t he command: $QM The table below gives some usefuL commands for que rying PML Variables. Command Effect Q var! LocalName Queries the value of a specific local variable, u se the command. Q var LOCAL Queries the values of all local variables. Q var!! GlobalName Queries the value of a specific global variable.Q var GLOBAL Queries the values of all global variables Q var! MyArray[1] Queries the value of a specific element of an arr ay. Q var! MyArray Queries the values of all elements of an array. Q var! MyArray.Size() Queries the number of elements currently in an ar ray.When you are typing commands into a macro or into a command line, you may not Remember exactly what arguments are available or wh at other commands are related. You Will find full details in the appropriate Reference Manuals to the module, but you can also askThe command processor what sort of command or comma nds it is expecting next by typing: $Q This will produce a list of every valid command wor d or argument type that you may enter Next. The list may be long and could include every valid command for the module that youAre in. The $Q facility is also useful to establish what is allowed as the next component of a Command. Type the beginning of the command sequence followed by $Q. |
Querying PML | $M You can then query the values of any PML Variables of i nterest and even change the values of some PML Variables. To resume processing of the sus pended PML File type into the command line: $M+
Use these facilities only for debugging and do not leave these commands in a finished PML File.
Note:
These facilities do not apply to PML Functions or m ethods.
A variety of queries are available to help diagnos e problems. Typically you might type these queries into the command line whilst a PML Fi le is suspended. Alternatively you could include any of these commands temporarily within a PML File.
If you are interested in the name of the currently running PML File and the other PML Files from which the current file was invoked use the command: $QM
The table below gives some useful commands for que rying PML Variables.
Command Effect
q var !LocalName Queries the value of a specific local variable, u se the command.
q var LOCAL Queries the values of all local variables.
q var !!GlobalName Queries the value of a specific global variable.
q var GLOBAL Queries the values of all global variables
q var !MyArray[1] Queries the value of a specific element of an arr ay.
q var !MyArray Queries the values of all elements of an array.
q var !MyArray.Size() Queries the number of elements currently in an ar ray.
When you are typing commands into a macro or into a command line, you may not remember exactly what arguments are available or wh at other commands are related. You will find full details in the appropriate Reference Manuals to the module, but you can also ask
the command processor what sort of command or comma nds it is expecting next by typing: $Q
This will produce a list of every valid command wor d or argument type that you may enter next. The list may be long and could include every valid command for the module that you are in. The $Q facility is also useful to establish what is allowed as the next component of a
command. Type the beginning of the command sequence followed by $Q.
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Difference between PML 1 and PML2 | Upgrading from PML1 to PML2
• PML 1-First version of PML including loops, if sta tements, string handling , labels.
• Is faster with simple single line definition and s ingle execution,
• Returns array of strings of the references,
• The scope can include volumetric limits (within …) ,
• To obtain a value in PML 1 must be preceded with $ , var !value ($!number),
• PML1 must be still used when an expression is used as an argument to a command and must be enclosed in () brackets,
• PML 1 macros are in PDMSUI folder,
• PML 2-Object oriented language builds on PML 1 and extends the facilities to be like other object based languages (VB, Smalltalk)
• Is slower and initially more lines of code to set up the collection is necessary,
• Returns array of database references and
• Collection can be used as the scope of a collectio n,
• Can be used with the TABLE object,
• Can’t use volumes to limit the scope,
• To obtain a value in PML 2 is used =, !value = !nu mber,
• PML2 may be of any complexity, may contain PML fun ctions and methods and form gadget values, !value = !!MyFunction(!arg) * !!Form .Gadget.Val / !MyArray.Method(),
• PML2 may consist operators and operands (+,-,*,/,G T,AND,OR,&,EQ…),
• PML 2 macros are in PMLLIB,
• Variable Types - STRING, REAL, BOOLEAN and ARRAY,
• Built in methods for commonly used actions,
• User Defined Object Types,
• PML Search PATH (%PMLLIB%),
• Dynamic Loading of Forms, Functions and Objects,
• New Aid objects for geometric modelling,
• $Wn - Will Break the GUI Software
• Numbered Variables - Are no longer available
• Macros - Avoid Mixing with PML Functions
• Global Variables for results - Use Function “Retur n”
• $M- $M+ $MK - Only for debugging, not LIVE code
• $R+ $R- - Withdrawn, (PML TRACE ON/OFF)
• Synonyms - Not permitted in PML Functions but work s in macros,
• VAR Syntax - Use “=“ Where possible
• VAR Name READ - Use ALERT object or Form
• Expressions in () - Brackets not needed after “=“
• !VALUE = NAME - Use !VALUE = !!CE
• $ - Use variables without $
• Don’t Quote variables - With no $, quotes not need ed
• @ cursor functions - Use Event Driven Graphics
• !ARRAY[-ve] - Not allowed in PML2
• !ARRAY[0] - Not advised to use at PML2
• Dots “.” In Names - New meaning at PML2
• Form EDIT - syntax Use direct setting |
Important difference between PML1 and PML2 | Important differences
Only Algebraic expressions are allowed, (No reverse -polish notations after “=“ sign)
Creating numeric variable with “=“ creates a REAL
Some PML1 macros using the “=“ will now create vari ables of the wrong type.
VAR !name value will now create a STRING value.
DO variables are now REAL rather than STRING
If “=“ has been used in existing PML code and probl ems are found, re-write the code using PML2 technology, or revert to PML1 VAR technology.
Conversion utility “eq2var” (Currently runs through an “awk” script)
DO variables in PML2 are automatically deleted to e nsure that they can be created, This can upset other variables if of the same name.
On exit DO variables remain REAL; previously they w ould have been STRING +1 if loop ran to completion.
Variable in “do values” is deleted on exit.
DO from to are required to be REAL, Existing macros are unaffected by this ($)
Change variable names to avoid DO variables
Check DO expressions, re-write as necessary
Results of an expression in IF must be TRUE or FALS E.
An error will occur where ZERO=FALSE
e.g. if ($value) then - - (PML1)
will have to be either if ($value EQ 1) then
or if ( BOOLEAN($value)) then
Most common occurrence
PML1 if ( match ($!String1,$!String2)) then
PML2 if ( match ($!String1,$!String2) GT 0 ) then
Check Form and Global Variable Names
Forms are now GLOBAL variables, and cannot have the same names as a Global Variable.
Form and Gadget Names Must be Unique and Start with a Letter
Forms & Menus enforces the rule that gadget names m ust start with a letter, and must be
unique, (Gadget names can be re-used in different f orms).
New Forms & Menus Error Messages.
No longer possible to use setup form from within .I NIT macro. |
Gadgets that are outside the form are now ERRORS | Gadgets that are outside the form are now ERRORS.
More than one OK,CANCEL or HELP will generate an error.
Var list & do list are restricted to LIST gadgets, for TEXTPANES & SELECTOR gadgets use var pane,selector & do selector
DOT in variable, Form and Gadget Names Is now used as separator between a Form or Object name and the name of one of its members or f unctions.
!Array.size()
var !String ‘comment’
!Old.Name = ‘!String’
could now use:
!Size = $!<Old.name>.length()
or
!Size = $!Old.name$N.length()
Negative Array Subscript is now an Error.
Array subscripts MUST now be positive or zero, Zero is permitted but many of the array methods ignore the zero’th element. Macros which ma ke use of negative array subscripts will need to be revised.
$MKn & $MK-n Withdrawn.
These commands may have had a role when macros were run directly from a terminal, but are incompatible with form-driven software.
Macros will have to be re-written.
Synonyms are NOT Available in PML Functions but are still available in Macros.
= in PDMS10 is not compatible with = in PDMS11
Components in Function to the Right of “=“
Existing “var” code is not affected.
Add brackets if PML1 code has none.
To convert to “text” add “$”
!X = 32 , !Y = 52
!Z = !X + !Y Result = REAL …..84
!Z = ‘$!X’ + ‘$!Y’ Result = STRING …..3252
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Overview | PML Form concepts
The AVEVA software module which provides the abili ty for users to customize the PDMS graphical user interface using the PML is referred to as PML Forms & Menus (or just F&M).
The default ‘system font’ used by Forms and Menus t o display character data is Arial Unicode MS which contains a large number of the wor ld’s alphabets. Internally F&M uses full Unicode, but can only display the characters access ible in its current ‘system font’. You will
be able to copy and paste Unicode characters from a nd to textual fields of F&M gadgets.
In PML 2, forms are a type of object represented b y a global variable — the form’s name, for example !!EntryForm . This means that a form cannot have the same name as any other object type, global variable, or any other form. Th e form object owns a set of predefined
member variables and built-in methods. In addition, you can define your own members — form variables and form gadgets — and your own form methods. All these will determine the content and functionality of the form. Gadget objec ts are user-defined members of the form object. Form members are always accessed using the dot notation, for example !!EntryForm.TextField
Gadgets own a set of predefined member variables an d built-in methods which determine the content and functionality of the gadget. For ex ample, the value of a text field gadget is accessed by: !!EntryForm.TextField.val.
Note that gadgets do not support user-defined membe r variables or user-defined gadget methods.
Callbacks are user-defined actions assigned to a form and it s gadgets and that are executed when the operator interacts with the form, for example, by clicking a mouse button on a gadget. The callbacks are supplied as text str ings and may be any valid PML
expression, PML Function or method call, including any form, gadget or user defined object method. Effectively, these callbacks determine the intelligence of the form.
The following are examples of the format of form a nd member names:
!!EntryForm The name of a form
!!EntryForm .GadgetName The name of a gadget on a form
!!EntryForm .GadgetName.val The data value held by that gadget
Note:
That total length of the name is limited to 1024 ch aracters even though the length each individual components is limited to 64 characters. Within the form definition, the members of the form should be referred to by using !This to re place the form name part of the gadget
name. For example:
!This.GadgetName
!This.GadgetName.val
Note: The obsolete convention of using an underscore to r eplace the form name has been retained for compatibility with earlier versions. |
Adding a Gadget Callback | Simple Form
You define a form using a command sequence that st arts with:
setup form !!formname
and ending with:
exit
Between these two commands come a number of option al subcommands which define the gadgets on the form. The following example defi nes a small form, containing the text ‘Hello World’, and a button labelled ‘ Goodbye’ , which removes the form when pressed:
setup form !!hello
paragraph .Message text 'Hello world'
button .bye 'Goodbye' OK
exit
- A simple form
Some points to note about the above definition and the form it creates are:
• there are no user-defined methods on this form, an d so the setup form . . . exit sequence is the complete form definition;
• the paragraph command adds a paragraph gadget to t he form (a paragraph gadget is just a piece of text displayed on the form). The na me of the gadget is Message, and the dot before the name indicates that the gadget i s a member of the form. The text itself is specified after the keyword TEXT.
• the button subcommand adds a button gadget named . bye. The text on the button will be ‘Goodbye’. The keyword OK is a form control attr ibute that specifies that the action of this button is to remove the form from th e screen.
To display the form in this example, you can use th e command: show !!Hello
To perform intelligent actions a form or gadget mu st invoke a callback.We will now add a simple gadget callback to the hello form. We will a dd a second button, change message, which will execute a callback to modify the Message paragraph gadget.
setup form !!hello
paragraph .Message text 'Hello world'
button .change ‘Change message’ callback |!this.m essage.val = ‘Modified’|
button .bye 'Goodbye' OK
exit
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Form Definition File | A gadget callback is defined by the callback comma nd followed by a command or PML Function enclosed in text delimiters. As we are giv ing a text string as part of the command which is itself supplied as a text string, we have had to use two kinds of delimiter: the
apostrophe, (‘) and the (|) vertical bar.
Note: The use of this to mean the current form. When the callback is executed,
!this.message.val = ‘Modified’
will set the value member of the gadget Message on this form to read Modified rather than Hello world.
Note: The gadget callback could have been
|!!OtherForm.Para.val = ‘Modified’|
to change the value of a paragraph gadget on anothe r form named !!OtherForm. Typically a callback will involve many commands and could be a complex piece of code in its own right.
In practice, the recommended way of defining a comp licated callback is to use a form method.
Form definitions must be held one per file. The fi le name must be the form’s name in lowercase with the file extension .pmlfrm. For example, our form !!Hello would be captured in a file called hello.pmlfrm. This definition file should be stored in a director y pointed to by
the PMLLIB environment variable. It will then be loaded autom atically on execution of the show !!Hello command. The form definition file contains:
• The form definition between setup form and exit. T his includes the commands which create the form itself, and set its attributes, suc h as its size and title, the commands which create the gadgets on the form and specify ho w they are arranged, and the definitions of any variables which are to be member s of the form.
• Any method definitions should follow the exit comm and, each method beginning with the define method command and ending with endmethod . Methods on forms are just like methods on any other kind of object.
• In particular, it will contain the form's default constructor method. This is a method with the same name as the form, and no arguments. It is the only method called automatically when the form is loaded, and so it ca n be used, among other things, to set default values for the gadgets on the form.
• The form may be given an initialization method, wh ich is run whenever the form is shown (as opposed to when it is loaded).
• No executable statements should appear in the file outside of the form definition or form methods. The effect of misplaced executable st atements is indeterminate. You can put comments anywhere in the file.
A form definition must be loaded before the form c an be displayed. If you have stored the definition in a . pmlfrm file then loading will be automatic when the form is displayed for the first time. Normally, a form is displayed as a resu lt of the operator making a menu selection
or pressing a button on a form. This is achieved ei ther by using the Form Directive in the
menu or button definition (see next section) or by means of the command show !!formname
used in the gadget’s callback. However, to display forms when you are developing them, you
may find it convenient to type the command:
show !!formname |
PML Directives | Sometimes it is useful to force the loading of a f orm’s definition file before the form is actually displayed, so that you can edit the form or gadget attributes from another form’s callbacks before the form is actually displayed. Us ing the command loadform !!formname
from a callback will force load the definition if t he form is unknown to PML, but do nothing if the form has already been loaded. Once a form has b een displayed you can remove it from the screen using the command
hide !!formname
Note that if you show it again it will appear on th e screen, but its definition is already known to PML and so it will not be loaded. It is possible to remove a form definition from PML using the command kill !!formname
The form is then no longer known to PML until a new definition is loaded.
Note: Earlier AppWare used form definitions in macro fil es which had to be loaded explicitly via $M path-name-to-file. This mechanism still oper ates for backwards compatibility, but is strongly discouraged when writing new AppWare.
PML directives are commands used to control PML it self. For example, you use a PML directive to instruct PML to re-make its index when you have added a new file. Some of these directives have been described in Storing and Loading PML Files: the information is
repeated here, with additional directives for loadi ng forms. Note: Unlike the PML commands described in How Forms are Loaded and Displayed, PM L directives should not be included in callbacks, but are generally for command line us e. You will need to use PML directives
when you are developing new form definitions or mod ifying existing ones. PML directives are commands of the form pml . . . The table below give s some useful PML directives.
Command Effect:
pml rehash When you create a new PML Form while an AVEVA prod uct is running, you must link in the file storing the form by giving th is command. It causes PML to scan all the directories under the PMLLIB path, and to create a file pml.index, which contains a list of all
the .pmlfrm files in the directories. pml index This command re-reads all the pml.index files in y our search path without rebuilding them. If other users have added PML File s and updated the appropriate pml.index files, you can access the new files by giving this command.
pml reload form !!formname When you edit an existing form while an AVEVA prod uct is running, you must use this directive to reload the form definition file.
kill !!formname If you experience problems of an edited form defin ition not being re-loaded, you can use this directive followed by the pml relo ad directive.
pmlscan directory_name This command runs a utility supplied with AVEVA pr oducts.
When you are not running an AVEVA product, you can use this command to update the pml.index file in a given directory.
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PML Directives | Revisiting our Simple Form
Our simple form !!Hello , which we constructed earlier in this chapter, is not very intelligent.
Once we have pressed the Change button the .Message paragraph will read ‘Modified’ for ever more, even if we hide the form and re-show it. The extended version of form !!Hello below:
• illustrates the use of the form definition file;
• illustrates form methods as callbacks;
• introduces some important predefined form members.
First save the definition in a file called hello.pm lfrm and ensure that its directory is in your PMLLIB search-path.
setup form !!hello
title ‘Display Your Message’
paragraph .Message width 15 height 1
text .capture ‘Enter message’ width 15 is STRING
button .bye 'Goodbye' OK
exit
define method .hello()
-- default constructor - set gadget load-time def ault
values
!this.message.val = ‘Hello world’
!this.capture.callback = ‘!this.message.val = !th is.capture.val’
!this.Okcall = ‘!this.success()’
Endmethod
define method .success()
-- action when OK button is pressed
!this.message.val = ‘Hello again’
!this.capture.val = ‘’
Endmethod
- A Smarter Form
In the form definition:
• title sets the form title member and hence display s a title;
• para adds a PARAGRAPH gadget size 15 chars by 1 li ne with no content;
• text adds a TEXT field gadget with tag ‘Enter mess age’, width 15 chars, to hold data of type STRING.
The constructor method .hello() does the following:
• initializes the paragraph’s default value to ‘Hell o world’;
• defines the callback on the text input field: to i nsert its value into the paragraph;
• sets the form member Okcall (in the line beginning !this.Okcall). This is a callback that gets executed when a button with control-type OK is pressed.
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PML Directives | The definition of method .success() does the following:
• Sets the paragraph’s value to ‘Hello again’.
• Resets the text field’s value to empty.
Now load and show the form by typing:
PML rehash
show !!Hello
This will auto-load the form definition and execut e the default constructor method (which will set the message paragraph to ‘Hello world’ and define the gadget and form callbacks). It will also display the form. Type your message into the Enter message field and press the
Enter key. This will execute the field’s callback, which will write your typed text into the message paragraph. Type a new message and press Ent er. The paragraph updates to reflect what you typed. Click the Goodbye button. T his executes the form’s Okcall action
which calls the success() method. The success() met hod sets the paragraph to ‘Hello again’ and blanks out the text field. Finally, the OK cont rol action hides the form.
Show the form again and observe that the paragraph reads ‘Hello again’ and not ‘Hello world’. This demonstrates that when you re-show the form the form’s constructor is not run, because the form is already loaded. If you want to reset the form every time it is shown, you
must define a form initialization callback.
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Callbacks: Expressions | Forms and Gadget callbacks
A callback may be any valid expression, including a ny AVEVA product commands. For example, the following is a PDMS command: ‘new box xlen 10 ylen 20 zlen 50’
It can also include PML general commands like ‘$m %pathname%/MyMacro’
to execute a given command macro, or ‘q var !!form’ ‘q var !!form.gadget’
which will write out details of the form or gadget and its members. You might like to try it on the form !!Hello.Typical expressions for a ca llback are
‘!this.gadget.val = !MyObject.count’
‘!MyObject.count = !this.gadget.val’
which get or set the value of a gadget on the form from or to a user-defined object.
Most callbacks require more than a single command, so invoking a method or function (or macro) is an essential requirement. The advantage o f using form methods as callbacks is that this keeps the whole form definition in a sing le file. Forms defined in early versions of
PML 2 used PML Functions as callbacks. This is stil l valid and is sometimes even essential as you may need to manage a group of forms; but mos tly the callbacks on a form are specific to that form.
setup form !!hello
title ‘Display Your Message’
paragraph .Message width 15 height 1
text .capture ‘Enter message’ width 15 is STRING
button .bye 'Goodbye' OK
exit
define method .hello()
!this.message.val = ‘Hello world’
!this.capture.callback = ‘!this.message.val = !th is.capture.val’
!this.Okcall = ‘!this.success()’
Endmethod
define method .success()
!this.capture.val = ‘’
endmethod
The .success() method above could only deliver a f ixed string ‘Hello again’ to the message PARAGRAPH gadget. The great advantage of me thods is that you can pass variables as arguments to the method, so it can be used more generally, for example as the callback to several gadgets.
define method .success( !output is GADGET, !message is STRING, !input is GADGET )
output.val = !message
input.val = ‘’
endmethod |
PML Open Callbacks | We have added three arguments, an output gadget, an input gadget and a message string variable. This has made the method very general. We can still use it as the Okcall callback:
!this.Okcall = |!this.success( !this.message, ‘Hell o again’,!this.capture )|
When the OK button is pressed the Okcall action wi ll invoke the success() method, passing to it the message paragraph gadget as !outp ut, the message text ‘Hello again’ as !message and the text input field gadget capture as !input. The method will do just what it did
before. However, we could use it differently. We co uld add another button gadget, Restart, to the form:
button .restore 'Restart' callback |!this.success( !this.message,‘Hello world’, !this.capture )|
When clicked, the Restart button‘s callback will e xecute and set the message paragraph gadget to read ‘Hello world’ and clear the capture text field, thus restoring the form to its state when it was displayed for the very first time . If we invoked the success() method as:
!this.success( !this.capture, ‘Hello world’, !this. message )
it would set the value ‘Hello world’ into the captu re text input field and clear the contents of the message PARAGRAPH gadget. Not what you need her e perhaps, but you can see how versatile methods can be!
Note: The arguments to methods can be any valid PML obje ct types, built in or user defined.
When the operator interacts with a GUI, an event oc curs. For example, when the operator:
• types something into a field on a form;
• moves the cursor into a window;
• presses down a mouse button;
• moves the mouse with button down;
• let’s the button up.
The events are queued in a time-ordered queue. The application software services this queue: it gets the next event, determines the objec t of the event (for example, form, gadget, menu) and the event type (for example, enter, leave , select, unselect, popup etc.), deduces
appropriate actions and carries them out. When one event is completed, the software looks for the next event.
There are a very large number of possible events, and most of them are very low level and have to be serviced very quickly to produce a u sable GUI. It would be inappropriate to allow the (interpreted) PML AppWare access to them all. However, the application software
defines a set of meta-events for forms and gadgets. When a meta-event occurs, the application software checks for user-defined callba cks and executes them. Hence callbacks are the AppWare’s way of providing actions to be ca rried out at these meta-events.
Callbacks provide a simple yet versatile mechanism for the AppWare to create and manage the GUI. Sometimes there is more than one me ta-event associated with a gadget. In this case, the simple assigned callback is insuf ficient to fully exploit the gadget's possible
behaviors. To overcome this shortcoming we can use open callbacks to allow the AppWare |
Using a PML Function in an Open Callback | to be informed whenever a meta-event is encountered . Open callbacks can be used wherever callbacks can be used. They always involve methods or PML Functions with a fixed argument list as follows:
define method .Control( !object is FormsAndMenusObj ect, !action is STRING)
• !object is a Forms and Menus object, for example, a form, gadget or menu.
• !action is the meta-event that occurred on the obj ect and represents the action to be carried out by the method.
The open callback is a string of the form:
'!this.MethodName('
Note: The open bracket '(', no arguments and no closing b racket. The callback is to an open method or function.
We might assign an open callback to a multi-choice list gadget as follows:
setup form !!Open
title 'Test Open Callbacks'
list .choose callback '!this.control(' multi widt h 15 height 8
exit
define method .open()
do !i from 1 to 10
!fields[!i] = 'list field $!i'
enddo
!this.choose.dtext = !fields
endmethod
define method .Control( !object is GADGET, !action is STRING)
if ( !action eq 'SELECT' ) then
--find out all about our gadget object
!form = !object.owner() $*get object’s owner
!type = !object.type() $*get object type
!name = !object.name() $*get object name
!field = !object.PickedField $*get picked field number
!s = !object.DTEXT[!field] $*get DTEXT
-- do something with the data
$p selected $!form$n.$!name $!type field $!fiel d, D text{$!s}
elseif (!action eq 'UNSELECT' ) then
!n = !object.PickedField $*get picked field num ber
$p unselected field $!n $*do something with data
endif
endmethod
Note in the constructor method open() we have initializ ed the list so that field n will display list field n. DTEXT is a shorthand for display-text , that is the text displayed in the list field.
• Control is the method which manages interaction wi th the list. Note the open callback
• defined in list choose.
• Note the use of $* for in-line comments
• Note the use of the printing command $p to print i nformation to the system Request channel. $!form replaces the variable !form with it s current value as a string - this only works for PML simple in-built scalars types RE AL, STRING, BOOLEAN. $n in $!form$n.$!name is a separator needed to separate $ !form from the following ‘.’ which would otherwise be thought of as part of the variable name. When a list field is clicked, the list’s callback will be examined an d if it is an open method or function, then the Forms and Menus software will supply the a rguments required to complete the function. |
Using a PML Function in an Open Callback | Thus in this case the actual callback string execut ed will be
|!this.control( !!Open.choose, ‘SELECT’ )|
Inside the control() method we branch on the value of !action and access the data of !object (in this case our list). Finally we perform our application’s resultant action - in this case just printing out all we know about the operat or interaction using the $p command,
which for a selection of an un-highlighted list fie ld will write: Selected OPEN.CHOOSE LIST field 5, Dtext{list field 5}
Notice that the same method could be used to manage several or even all gadgets on our form since the variable !object is a reference to a gadget object and is supplied as !!Open.choose, the full name of the gadget includin g its form. This allows us to find
everything about that object from its in-built meth ods, including its gadget type (LIST, TOGGLE, etc) and its owning form:
!type = !object.type()
!form = !object.owner()
All the examples so far have used form methods as o pen callbacks. The code would be essentially the same if we used PML Functions. The PML Function must be in a file of its own called control.pmlfnc. The body of the definiti on would be identical but must be
bracketed by:
define function !!Control( !object is GADGET, !acti on isSTRING)
endfunction
Note that the function has a global name !!control, that is, it is not a member of any form or object and thus cannot use the !this variable The o pen callback on the choose list gadget would become list .choose callback '!!control(' multi width 15 h eight 8
The rest of the story remains the same.
Object Object Callback
LIST multichoice Gadget SELECT,UNSELECT,START,STOP
LIST singlechoice Gadget SELECT, UNSELECT
OPTION Gadget SELECT, UNSELECT
ALPHA VIEW Gadget SELECT
BUTTON Gadget SELECT, UNSELECT
TOGGLE and RTOGGLE Gadget SELECT, UNSELECT
MENU (command fields) Menu SELECT, INIT
MENU (toggle fields) Menu SELECT, UNSELECT, INIT
FORM Form INIT, QUIT, CANCEL, OK,KILLING, FIRSTSHOW N
TEXT Gadget SELECT, MODIFIED, VALIDATE
SLIDER Gadget START, STOP, MOVE
FRAME Gadget SELECT, UNSELECT,SHOWN, HIDDEN
NUMERICINPUT Gadget SELECT, MODIFIED
COMBOBOX Gadget SELECT, UNSELECT, VALIDATE
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Modules and Applications | Forms
A PDMS GUI module consists of a set of co-operatin g applications running within the Application Window. Each module has:
• A Main form to present the default application and to control access to the other applications.
• One or more document forms usually displaying the application model.
• Transient floating dialog forms that relate to spe cific tasks.
• A small number of docking dialog forms to provide frequently required services. The Main form has a menu bar that provides access to al l the functionality of the current application of the module, from its pull-down menus (the main menu system), and a set of toolbars, each containing gadgets (usually i con buttons, icon toggles and pull-down lists) designed to give fast access to frequen tly used functions. The Main form is not displayed directly, but supplies all its men us and toolbars to be displayed in the Application Window.
The form definition is a command sequence starting with:
setup form !!formname
and ending with:
exit
The sequence includes:
• The commands which create the form itself and set its attributes, such as its minimum
size and title.
• The commands which create the gadgets on the form, and specify how they are
arranged.
• The definitions of any variables which are to be m embers of the form.
All the form attributes are optional and have sensi ble defaults. Those which can only be set once must be specified on the setup form line. Thes e are:
• Form type.
• Layout mode.
• Minimum size.
• Resize.
• Docking.
• Form position.
• NOQUIT
• NOALIGN
Other attributes are specified as sub-commands in t he setup form . . . exit sequence. They can be edited after the form has been created by me ans of the form’s in-built members and methods.
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Layout Modes | Form Type
The appearance and behaviour of a form is determin ed by its Type attribute:
MAIN The form that will be swapped to as a Main form. T hese forms are not usually displayed directly, but serve to provide gadgets fo r the application’s toolbar and menus for the application’s main menus.
DOCUMENT Resizable form usually with a view gadget, but no menu bar. All document forms can be floated or un-floated using the right- mouse popup menu in the form’s top border. When it is floating, you can drag the form away from the MDI frame and position it
and resize it without constraint. This allows you t o drag the document form away to another screen of a multiscreen configuration.
DIALOG This is the default type the form will assume if y ou give no type when you set up the form. The default DIALOG form will be non-resiz able, floating, and non-docking. You can specify the DOCKING attribute to allow the form to be docked within th e application frame. By default, a docking dialog is displayed floating, and you can i nteractively dock it. When a dialog is docked it will be resized to match the application frame edge to which it is docked, and so is resizable by default. The qualifiers LEFT, RIGHT, T OP, and BOTTOM, specify the edge of the application frame to which the dialog form will be docked when first displayed.
BLOCKING DIALOG Normal form layout and content, but will block acc ess to all other forms while it is displayed.
Here are some examples of ways you can set up forms of different types:
setup form !!myform dialog dock left - Creates a re sizable docking dialog;
setup form !!myform dialog resizable - Creates a re sizable floating dialog;
setup form !!myform dialog - Creates a non-resizabl e floating dialog;
setup form !!myform - Creates a non-resizable float ing dialog;
setup form !!myform document - Creates a resizable MDI child document;
setup form !!myform document Float - Creates a floa ting resizable non-MDI document.
Two layout modes are supported, namely VarChars an d FixChars. VarChars is a new layout mode, based on measuring precise string widt hs. It is better suited to the use of variably spaced fonts, and tends to produce smaller , more pleasing forms, without unwanted
space. The benefits of using VarChars are:
• It tends to produce smaller, more pleasing forms, without unwanted space.
• No text wrap-around, except possibly in conjunctio n with TagWidth.
• No truncation of explicitly defined text except po ssibly in conjunction with TagWidth.
The recommended layout mode for all new forms is:
setup form !!formname . . . VarChars
FixChars is the old layout mode (prior to PDMS12.1 ), which is based on the use of notional character width to calculate the approxima te sizes of textual gadgets and gadget tags. Because the calculated sizes are only approxi mate, the user has to make frequent use
of the gadget's Width specifier and TagWidth specif ier and considerable trial and error to achieve a desired layout.
The default layout mode for setup form is FixChars, because this will be th e least disruptive for existing user Appware, so FixChars m ode will currently result from either of
setup form !!formname . . .
setup form !!formname . . . FixChars |
Intelligent Resizable Forms | Minimum Size and Resizability
A form will automatically stretch to fit the gadge ts you add to it. You can use the SIZE keyword to give a minimum size in multiples of the character width and line height . For example:
setup form !!New1 size 25.5 10
• Character width is the notional character width for the selected ch aracter font.
• Line height is the height of the tallest single line gadget, th at is a TOGGLE , BUTTON ,
RADIO BUTTON, OPTION gadget or single-line PARAGRAPH for the selected character font. The RESIZABLE command means that the form wil l be displayed with re-sizing controls at its corners. This will allow the user to change the size of the form. Docking forms and all
document forms are resizable by default; but for ot her types, if you do not include the RESIZABLE command, the size of the form is fixed.
setup form !!New1 RESIZABLE
setup form !!New2 size 25 10 RESIZABLE
All gadgets except ALPHA and VIEW gadgets have DOCK and ANCHOR attributes that allow you to define gadgets that have intelligent p ositioning and resizing behaviour when their container gadget resizes.
This allows you to have more than one resizable ga dget on a form and still have predictable and potentially complex resize behaviou r. However, the DOCK and ANCHOR attributes are mutually exclusive: setting the DOCK attribute resets the ANCHOR to the
default; setting the ANCHOR attribute resets DOCK t o none.
ALPHA and VIEW gadgets do not support DOCK or ANCH OR attributes. They do, however, expand to fill their containers, so you ca n put them in a frame and set the frame’s DOCK or ANCHOR attributes to get the behaviour you desire.
Certain gadgets, known as the linear gadgets, have their centres auto-aligned approximately to aid simple layout without the user having to know about PATH and ALIGN concepts.
This pseudo-alignment gives sensible layout for si mple forms, but introduces small errors in all other circumstances and prevents accurate co ntrolled layout because the user doesn’t know the offsets applied. The NOALIGN keyword allow s you to switch off this pseudo
alignment.
The gadgets BUTTON, TOGGLE, TEXT, OPTION, single l ine PARGRAPH fit within 1 vertical grid unit and are by default drawn with th eir Y-coordinate adjusted so that they would approximately centre-align with an adjacent BUTTON. This pseudo-alignment introduces
small errors in all but a few circumstances and pre vents accurate controlled layout.
NOALIGN prevents this (historical) gadget auto-alig nment. Use NOALIGN in conjunction with PATH RIGHT (the default path) and HALIGN CENTR E, as it gives a better layout, with fewer surprises.
Note: It is bad practice to place one gadget on top of a nother. This may lead to gadgets being obscured. The commands to set modifiable attr ibutes are described after the syntax graph. |
Form Title and Icon Title | Form Members
The title sub-command is used to supply a string t hat is displayed in its banner at the top of the form's window. To set the title: title 'Quite a Long Title for a Form'
You can modify the title at any time using the Form Title member: !!MyForm.FormTitle = 'Modified Title'
The icontitle sub-command is used to supply a strin g that is used when a form is iconized.
To set the icon title: icontitle 'Short Title'
You can also modify the icon title at any time usin g the IconTitle member:
!!MyForm.IconTitle = ‘New Icon’
The form’s initialisation callback allows the form ’s gadgets to be initialised every time it is shown to reflect the current state of the applicati on and possibly to validate whether the form can be displayed in the current context. You can se t the callback by assigning to the form’s initcall member. This can be done with the INITCALL command:
INITCALL ‘!This.InitCallBack()’
or directly by
!!MyForm.initcall = ‘This.InitCallBack()’
Note: The form initialisation callback must not attempt to display another form. You may invoke an ALERT object but not otherwise seek any i nput from the user. If the callback discovers an error so serious that the form cannot be displayed it can abort the display of the
form by returning an error. You can supply the text of an error message that is to be presented in an error alert in place of the form:
define method .initcallback()
return error 1 'You do not have write access to t his
database'
endmethod
If the initialisation callback has already caused a n alert to be raised then you can prevent the raising of a new error alert by using the NOALERT k eyword:
define method .initcallback()
return error 1 NOALERT
endmethod
The form supports the concepts of OK and CANCEL actions:
The OKCALL callback is executed when a form’s OK bu tton is pressed or when the OK button of a form’s ancestor has been pressed It all ows operators to approve the current gadget settings and carry out the function of the f orm. The form is then removed from the
screen. Typically this callback will gather all the data from the form’s gadgets and perform |
Quit/Close Callback | the form’s major task. If you do anything of signif icance in callbacks on other gadgets you may have a hard time undoing everything if the user presses the CANCEL button. You can assign to the form’s OKCALL member using the comman d OKCALL ‘CallbackString’ . You
can modify the Okcallback at any time using !this.Okcall = ‘CallbackString’ .
The CANCELCALL callback is executed when a form’s C ANCEL button is pressed, when the CANCEL button of a form’s ancestor is pressed ( see section on Form Families) or when the window’s CLOSE gadget is used. It allows the op erator not to proceed with the functions
of the form. The form is then removed from the scre en and all gadgets are automatically reset to the values they had when the form was disp layed or when any APPLY button was last pressed. Typically this callback allows you, t he PML programmer, to undo any actions
already carried out on the form that ought to be un done in the light of the CANCEL request You can assign to the form’s CANCELCALL member usin g the command CANCELCALL ‘CallbackString’ .
You can modify the CANCELcallback at any time using
!this.Cancelcall = ‘CallbackString
All Forms have a QUITCALL member that you can pass a standard callback string. This is executed whenever the user presses the Quit/Clos e icon (X) on the title bar of forms and the main application window. If an open callback is used then it is called with the FORM
object as its first parameter and ‘QUIT’ as its act ion string. QUITCALL for MAIN Forms For forms of type MAIN, the QUITCALL callback is execut ed, if present. This permits the user to terminate the application, and so the associated PM L callback should prompt the user for
confirmation. If the user confirms the quit, then t he callback should close down the application, and not return. If the user decides no t to quit, then the callback should return an error to indicate the decision to F&M.
Use return error…noalert if you want to avoid disp laying an error alert. If the form has no QUIT callback, then the QUIT event will be ignored. The following example shows a (global) PML function, that you could be use from all forms of type MAIN:
define function !!quitMain( )
-- Sharable method Quit the application
!str = !!Alert.Confirm('Are you sure you want to quit the application?')
if( !str eq 'YES' ) then
-- execute application termination command, whi ch should not return
finish
else
return error 3 |user chose not to QUIT| noalert
endif
endfunction
This would be called from the form definition funct ion body or from its constructor method as shown below:
Setup form !!myApplication MAIN
quitCall ‘!!quitMain( )’
exit
define method .myApplication( )
-- Constructor
!this.quitCall = ‘!!quitMain( )’
endmethod
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FIRSTSHOWN callback | Essentially, if no QUIT callback is present, then t he form is cancelled (hidden with reset of gadget values). If a QUIT callback is provided then you can prevent the default Cancel action by returning a PML error, but you must hide the form from your callback method (It is
more efficient the use ‘!this.hide()’, rather than ‘hide !!myform‘ from your form methods).
Note: F&M does not display an alert for the returned err or, it is merely for communication.
You don’t need a QUIT callback if you just want to allow the form to be hidden. For DOCUMENT forms (MDI children) only, the callback must not display an alert as this will cause some gadgets to malfunction afterwards.
Typically assigned in the Constructor by
!this.FirstShownCall = '!this.<form_method>'
The purpose is to allow the user to carry out any form actions which can only be completed when the form is actually displayed. Ther e are a variety of circumstances where this arises and it is often difficult to find a rel iable solution. A couple of examples are given
below. Commands which manipulate form, menu or gadg et visual properties, executed from a PML macro, function or callback may not happen un til control is returned to the window manager's event loop. For example, in the applicati on's start-up macro the command
sequence show !!myForm … hide !!myform will result in the form not being displayed, but also not becoming known at all to the window manage r. Attempts to communicate with this form via the External callback mechanism (possibly from another process) will not work.
This can be rectified by doing the '!this.hide()' w ithin the FIRSTSHOWN callback, because the form will be guaranteed to be actually displaye d (and hence known to the window manager), before it is hidden It is sometimes diffi cult to achieve the correct gadget
background colour setting the first time the form i s displayed. This can be resolved by setting the required colour in the FIRSTSHOWN callback.
Typically assigned in the Constructor by
!this.KillingCall = '!this.<form_method>'
The purpose is to notify the form that it is being destroyed and allow the assigned callback method to destroy any associated resources, e.g. gl obal PML objects which would otherwise not be destroyed. This may be necessary because PML global objects will survive an
application module switch, but may not be valid in the new module.
Notes:
the form or to the Form itself (e.g. don't show or hide the form). Attempts to edit the form or its gadgets may cause unwanted side effects or possible system errors. killing callbacks.
It is often convenient to store additional informa tion on a form which will not be displayed to the user. This is achieved by defining form vari ables. These are variables which can be any of the PML data types, including ARRAYS and OBJ ECTS. These variables have the same lifetime as the form and are deleted when the form itself is killed.
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Querying Form Members | Form members are defined in just the same way as ob ject members:
setup form !!MyForm...
member .MyNumber is REAL
member .MyString is STRING
member .MyArray is ARRAY
exit
The value of a form member can be set and used in j ust the same way as an object
member:
!!MyForm.MyNumber = 42
!Text = !This.MyNumber
!ThirdValue = !This.MyArray[3]
In a callback function you can use !this. to repres ent 'this form':
!ThirdValue = !This.MyArray[3]
You can query the members of a form using the command:
q var !!formname
This will list all the attributes of the form, and all the gadgets defined on it. This is a useful debugging aid. To query all the gadgets of a form ( excludes USERDATA gadget) use:
!!gadgetsarray = !!MyForm.gadgets()
Returns array of GADGET.
Forms are displayed on the screen either as free-s tanding forms or as a member of a form family. A form can be displayed as a free stan ding form, for example by show !!form free. It then has no parent so it will not disappea r when the form which caused it to be
displayed is hidden.
When one form causes another form to be displayed, such as when a button with the FORM keyword is pressed or a gadget callback execut es a show !!form command the result is a child form. A form can have many child forms ( and grand-children…) but a child form
has only one parent - the form which caused the chi ld form to be displayed. The nest of related forms is called a Form Family.
The Form Family exists just as long as the forms a re displayed. If a form is already on the screen when it is shown, it is brought to the front of the display. If the child form is already in a Form Family it is transferred to the new parent. If the user presses the OK button of a
parent form, the system in effect presses the OK bu ttons on each of the child forms, 'youngest' first, invoking their OKCALL callbacks. The parent form and all child-forms are hidden and the Form Family then ceases to exist. If the user presses the CANCEL button or
uses the window's CLOSE controls, the system in effect presses the CANCEL buttons of each of the child forms, 'youngest' first, invoking their CANCELALL callbacks, and all the forms in the Form Family are hidden. The action of RESET and APPLY buttons does not affect family members. |
Position of Forms on the Screen | Loading and Showing Forms
A form definition must be loaded before the form c an be displayed. If you have saved the definition in a .pmlfrm file then loading will be a utomatic when the form is displayed for the first time. Note: Earlier AppWare used form definit ions in macro files which had to be loaded explicitly via $m path-name.
This mechanism still operates for backwards compati bility, but is strongly discouraged when writing new AppWare. Normally, a form is displayed as a result of the operator making a menu selection or pressing a button on a form. This is achieved either by using the Form
directive in the menu or button definition or by me ans of the command:
show !!formname
used in the gadget’s callback. In either case the f orm becomes a child of the menu’s or gadget’s owning form. A form may be displayed free- standing, i.e. not as a child, by:
show !!formname free
Sometimes it is useful to force the loading of a fo rm’s definition file before the form is actually displayed, so that you can edit the form or gadget attributes from another form’s callbacks before the form is actually displayed. Using the co mmand:
loadform !!formname
from a callback will force load the definition if t he form is unknown to PML, but do nothing if the form has already been loaded. If you are sure t hat a form’s definition has been loaded hen you can show the form as a child or free-stand ing respectively using the form methods:
!!formname.show( )
!!formname.show( ‘free’ )
but note that this will not dynamically load the fo rm definition.
Mostly forms are automatically positioned by the s ystem according to their type and the way they are shown. The origin of a form is its top left hand corner. When a form is displayed as a child form then it is always positioned with r espect to its parent. For a form shown from a MENU, its origin is at the origin of the parent. If the form is displayed from a BUTTON or any other gadget, its origin is at the centre of th e gadget. When a form is shown as a free form for the first time then its default position i s at the top left-hand corner of the screen. We strongly recommend that you allow the system to pos ition forms whenever possible.
You can force the screen position of free-standing forms using the following commands or
methods:
show !!MyForm Free At xr 0.3 yr 0.5
show !!MyForm Free Centred xr 0.5 yr 0.5
!!MyForm.show( 'At', 0.3, 0.5 )
!!MyForm.show( 'Cen', 0.5, 0.5 )
|
Hiding Forms | The At option puts the origin of the form at the specified position; alternatively the Cen option puts the centre of the form at the given position. The co-ordinate values are fractions of the screen width or height respectively and are referre d to as screen co-ordinates. For example :
show !!MyForm free At xr 0.25 yr 0.1
positions the origin of !!MyForm one quarter of the way across from the left edge of the screen, and one tenth of the way down from the top.
!!MyForm.show( 'Cen', 0.5, 0.5 )
centres !!MyForm at the middle of the screen.
The recommended way for a form to be removed from the screen is for the user to press a button with the OK or CANCEL attribute. Forms may also be cancelled by using the window’s close controls. Both these mechanisms will remove the form and any of its children
executing their OK or CANCEL
callbacks appropriately.
Sometimes it is required to hide a form and other forms which are functionally associated but not part of the form family or as a result of a button press on a form you may want to hide other associated forms but not the form whose butto n was pressed. The hide command or method allows this:
hide !!MyForm
!!MyForm.hide()
Note: When you explicitly hide a form in this way i ts gadgets will be reset to their values at display or at the last APPLY, just like a CANCEL ac tion, but the CANCELCALL callbacks for the form and its nest will not be applied. This mea ns that before youexecute the hide you
should use any pertinent data from the forms to be hidden. You can destroy a loaded form definition using the command kill !!MyForm
The form is hidden and then its definition is destr oyed so that it is then no longer known to PML. You cannot then access the form or its gadgets , members or methods (including its .show() method. Normally you will not need to inclu de the kill command within your
AppWare. If you re-show the form using the show com mand then the system will attempt to demand load the definition again. This is slow and expensive if you haven’t modified the definition so avoid it: use loadform !!MyForm and ! !MyForm.show() instead. If you execute a
setup form !!MyForm... while the form !!MyForm alre ady exists then it is killed and a new definition is started. This mechanism may be useful because it makes it possible to generate a form definition interactively from within your Ap pWare. This can be very powerful but
should be used with great care.
You can stop forms from being hidden from the bord er close/quit pull-down menu by setting the NOQUIT attribute:
Setup form !!MyForm . . . NOQUIT
By default, you can quit from any user-defined form , except for the current system Main
form.
|
Menu Types and Rules | Menus
Menus are always members of forms but can be emplo yed in various ways by the form and its gadgets. Menus come in two types: main menu s and popup menus. You determine what type a menu is when you create it. If you do n ot specify the type, then the system will
try to infer its type from the context of its first use.
For example, if the first action in a form definiti on is to define the menubar, then the system will infer any menus referenced in the bar…e xit sequence to be of type MAIN. Or, as a second example, if a menu is assigned as the popu p for the form or a gadget of the form,
then the system will infer the menu to be of type P OPUP.
Forms may have a bar menu gadget or main menu, whi ch appears as a row of options across the top of the form. When you select one of the menu options, a pull-down menu is temporarily displayed. Fields on a menu may have pu ll-right arrows (>) that open a pulldown
sub-menu when selected. Forms and gadgets can have popup menus assigned to them.
When you move the cursor onto them and press the mo use popup button, the menu pops-up at the cursor and you can then select from the disp layed options. The following rules determine how you can use menus:
• Each menu belongs either to the Main menu system or to the Popup menu system, but cannot belong to both .
• A menu in the Main system can appear only once. i. e. it cannot be a sub-menu of several menus.
• A menu in the Popup system may appear only once in a given popup tree, but may be used in any number of popup trees.
• A menu cannot reference itself , either directly as a pullright of one of its own fields or be a pullright of another menu in its own menu tree .
• Any pullright field of a menu references a sub-men u that will be inferred to be of the same type as the referencing menu.
A bar menu is defined within a form definition. Th e menu bar is created with the bar subcommand. Note that its name is ‘bar’: there can be only one bar menu on a form. Then you can use the bar’s Add() method to add the optio ns. For example:
setup form !!MyForm Dialog size 30 5
bar
!this.bar.add ( 'Choose', 'Menu1')
!this.bar.add ( 'Window', ' ' )
!this.bar.add ( 'Help', ' ' )
exit
This code specifies the text of three options label led Choose, Window, and Help.
|
Defining a Menu Object | • The Choose option when picked will open Menu1 as a pull-down
• The Window and Help options will open the Window a nd Help system menus
Note: That Menu1 need not exist when the bar is defined, it can be defined later in the form definition, but it must exist before the Choose opt ion is selected or an error alert will be raised.
A menu is a set of menu fields, each representing an action that is invoked when the field is selected. The fields’ display text indicates to the user what the actions are, and the fields’ replacement text defines what the actions are. With in the form definition a menu object can
be created using the form’s NewMenu method or the m enu sub-command. You can then use the menu’s Add(), InsertAfter(), and InsertBefore() methods to add or insert named menu fields. A menu field can do one of three things:
• Execute a callback.
• Display a form.
• Display a sub-menu.
You can also add a visual separator between fields. Below is an example of a complete menu definition:
!menu = !this.newmenu( 'file', ‘main’ )
!menu.add( 'MENU', 'Send to', 'SendList', 'SendTo' )
!menu.add( 'SEPARATOR', 'saveGroup' )
!menu.add( 'CALLBACK', 'Save', '!this.SaveFile()', 'Save' )
!menu.add( 'FORM', 'Save as...', 'SaveFile', 'SaveA s' )
!menu.add( 'SEPARATOR' )
--core-code managed field for Explorer Addin, ticke d.
--Note no Rtext needed
!menu.add( 'CORETOGGLE', 'Explorer', '', 'Expl' )
!menu.add( 'MENU', 'Pull-right1', 'Pull1')
--initialise toggle field as ticked (typically in t he
constructor)
!menu.SetField( 'Expl', 'Selected', true )
This creates a new main menu called Menu with six f ields and two separators between them. For example:
• The SAVE field when picked will execute the callba ck command this.SaveFile().
• The Save as... field when picked will load and dis play the form !!SaveFile. By convention, the text on a menu field leading to a f orm ends with three dots, which you must include with the text displayed for the fi eld.
• The SEPARATOR, usually a line, will appear after t he previous field.
• The Pull-right1 field when picked will display the sub-menu !this.Pull1 to its right. A
• menu field leading to a sub-menu ends with a > sym bol: this is added automatically.
• Named Menu Fields
You can add menu fields with an optional fieldname that you can later refer to when editing the menufield or modifying its attributes’. If you do not specify a field name then you will not be able to refer to the field again. You can also a ssign a name to separator fields, which
allows separator group editing. The general syntax is:
!menu.Add( ‘<FieldType>’,’ <Dtext>’, ‘<Rtext>’, { ‘ <FieldName>’ } )
!menu.Add( ‘SEPARATOR’, { ‘<FieldName>’ }) |
Window Menu | Where the fields have the following meanings:
<FieldType> has allowable values: ‘CALLBACK’, ‘TOGGLE’, ‘MENU’ , and ‘FORM’.
<Dtext> is the display-text for the field (cannot be null or blank). May contain multi-byte characters.
<Rtext> is the replacement-text for the field. A null stri ng indicates no replacement-text. The allowable values for RTEXT for the different field types are:
• CALLBACK’ - callback string
• TOGGLE’ - callback string
• MENU’ - menu name string (without preceding ‘.’).
• It cannot be blank.
• FORM’ - form name string (without preceding ‘!!’). It
• cannot be blank.
<FieldName> is an optional argument, which, if present, is the unique field name within the menu.
You can add the system Window menu to a bar menu using:
!this.bar.add (‘<Dtext>’, ‘window’)
This menu is dynamically created on use with a list of the titles of the windows currently displayed as its fields. Selecting a field will pop that window to the front. This can be very useful on a cluttered screen.
You can add the system Help menu with the specified display text to a bar menu using
!this.bar.add (‘Dtext’, ‘Help')
!this.bar.InsertAfter(‘window’, ‘<Dtext>’, ‘Help’)
When selected, this Help option displays a system-h elp pull-down menu that gives Access to the application help system. The fields are:
Contents This displays the Help window so that you can find the required topic from the hierarchical contents list.
Index This displays the Help window with the Index tab s elected, so that you can browse for the topic you want to read about from the alphabeti cally-arranged list. You can locate topics quickly by typing in the first few letters of their title.
Search This displays the Help window with the Search tab at the front so that you can find all topics containing the keywords you specify.
About To see the product version information.
You can access On Window help by pressing the F1 ke y while the form has keyboard focus, or by including a Help button in the form’s definition.
Note: By convention, the help menu should be the last on e defined for the menu bar, which will ensure that it appears at the right-hand end o f the menu bar.
You can use any of your defined menus as popup men us for most interactive gadgets and for the form background as long as you have spe cified them as belonging to the popup menu system. When the cursor is moved over it with the popup mouse button pressed down, |
Finding Who Popped up a Menu | and then released, the menu will be displayed, and you can select from it in the normal way.
A popup is added to a gadget or form using its Setp opup() method, with the popup menu as the argument to the method. Note that the menu pop1 must exist when the Setpopup() method is executed. For example:
setup form !!MyForm resizable
menu .pop1 popup
!this.pop1.add( 'MENU', 'Options', 'optionmenu' )
!this.pop1.add( 'MENU', 'More', 'moremenu' )
!this.pop1.add( 'MENU', 'Last', 'Lastmenu'
button .b1 ...
!this.b1.setpopup( !this.pop1 )
exit
You can find out whether a menu was popped up from a gadget, and if so, the gadget’s name. The method is:
!menu.popupGadget() is GADGET
If the menu was a popup on a gadget then the return ed GADGET variable is a reference to the gadget. If the menu was popped up from a pulldo wn-menu or from a popup on the form itself, the value is UNSET. Example:
!g = !menu.popupGadget()
if !g.set() then
!n = !g.name()
$p menu popped up by gadget $!n
else
!n = menu.owner().name()
$p menu popped up by form $!n
endif
A menu TOGGLE field is a menu field with a callbac k action and a tick-box to show that the field has been selected or unselected. By defau lt the field will be unselected so the box will not be ticked. When picked the fields callback action will be executed and the tick-box
ticked. If you pick the field again the callback ac tion will again be executed and the tick removed. Note that the open callback is an obvious candidate for toggle menus as the SELECT or UNSELECT action is returned as the second argument to the callback method.
For example, in your form definition you can add a toggle field as follows:
setup form !!Myform Dialog size 30 5
!menu = !this.newmenu(‘Test’, ‘popup’)
!menu.add( 'Toggle' ,’Active/Inactive’, '!this.to ggle(‘,'OnOff' )
Exit
define method .toggle( !menu IS MENU, !action IS ST RING )
!name = !menu.fullname()
!field = !menu.PickedFieldName
$P menu $!name $!action field: $!field
Endmethod
Note: How we use the PickedFieldName member of the menu object to obtain the last picked field. If you pick this menu field the callb ack method will print:
menu !!MyForm.Menu1 SELECT field: OnOff |
Inserting Menus into a Bar | Editing Bars and Menus
The contents of menu bars and menus can be modifie d at any time using the members and methods of the bar menu gadget object and the menu object.
You can insert new fields into a menu bar using th e InsertBefore() and InsertAfter() methods, which insert the new fields relative to ex isting named menus. The methods use named menus to determine the point where they shoul d insert the new menu. The general syntax is:
InsertBefore(<TargetMenuName>, <Dtext>, <MenuName>)
InsertAfter(<TargetMenuName>, <Dtext>, <MenuName>)
Where the fields have the following meanings:
<TargetMenuName> is the name of the menu immediately before or afte r where you want the new menu to go.
<Dtext> is the display-text for the menu.
<FieldName> is the unique name for the menu within the bar.
For example:
setup form !!MyForm Dialog size 30 5
bar
-- adds a pulldown for menu1 labelled with <dtext >
!this.bar.Add( ‘<dtext>’, ‘menu1’ )
-- adds a window pulldown labelled with <dtext>
!this.bar.Add( ‘<dtext>’, ‘Window’ )
-- adds a help pulldown labelled with <dtext>
!bar.InsertAfter( ‘Window’, ‘<dtext>’, ‘Help’ )
Exit
If you use the identifier ‘Window’ or ‘Help’ as th e name of the menu, the system will interpret them as system Window and Help menus, alt hough they will still be displayed with the string given in <dtext>. Named menus and the me thods that create them are discussed in more detail in the rest of this section.
You can insert new fields into a menu using the Ins ertBefore() and InsertAfter() methods, which insert the new fields relative to existing na med menu fields. The methods use named menu fields to determine the point where they shoul d insert the new field. The general
syntax is:
InsertBefore(<TargetFieldName>,<FieldType>,<Dtext>, <Rtext >,{<FieldName>})
InsertBefore(‘SEPARATOR’,{<FieldName>})
InsertAfter(<TargetFieldName>,<FieldType>,<Dtext>,< Rtext> ,{<FieldName>})
InsertAfter(‘SEPARATOR’,{<FieldName>})
Where the fields have the following meanings:
<TargetFieldName> is the name of the field immediately before or aft er where you want the
new field to go.
<FieldType> has allowable values: ‘CALLBACK’, ‘TOGGLE’, ‘MENU’ , and ‘FORM’.
<Dtext> is the display-text for the field (cannot be null or blank). May contain multi-byte characters. |
Changing the State of Menufields | <Rtext> is the replacement-text for the field. A null stri ng indicates no replacement-text. The allowable values for RTEXT for the different field types are:
• CALLBACK’ - callback string
• TOGGLE’ - callback string
• MENU’ - menu name string (without preceding ‘.’). It cann ot be blank.
• FORM’ - form name string (without preceding ‘!!’). It can not be blank.
<FieldName> is an optional argument, which, if present, is the unique field name within the menu.
There are two methods you can use to set and read the status of menu- and menu-field properties. Setting Menu-Options’ Status You can de -activate a menufield on a menu bar and a field in a menu with the SetFieldProperty() s o that it cannot be selected. Similarly, you
can make them invisible so the user cannot see them . You can also use SetFieldProperty() to hide a menu field and to select or unselect togg le-type fields. The general syntax is:
!menu.SetFieldProperty (<FieldName>, <PropertyName> , Boolean)
Where the fields have the following meanings:
<FieldName> The name of the field you want to change.
<PropertyName> The name of the property you want to change in the named field. The allowed values are:
• ACTIVE’ - greyed in or out
• VISIBLE’ - visible or invisible
• SELECTED’ - selected or unselected (toggle type fi elds, only. Specifically, this value cannot be used with bars).
Boolean The value, TRUE or FALSE, for the property.
Note: The property names may optionally be truncated to the first three characters ‘ACT’, ‘VIS’, and ‘SEL’. For example:
!bar = !!MyForm.bar
!menu = !!MyForm.Menu1
sets local variables !bar and !menu to be reference s to the bar gadget and Menu1 of form
!!MyForm.
Then
!bar.SetFieldProperty( 'Foo', ‘ACTive’, false)
will grey-out the menufield on bar that has the fie ld-name “Foo”. And
!menu.SetFieldProperty ( 'Bar', ‘ACTive’, true)
will activate the menufield on Menu1 that has the f ield-name “Bar”.
You can use the same method to change the selected status of a toggle menu field.
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Implied Menu-field Groups | Reading the Status of Menus and Menus’ Fields
To read the status of a menu or of a menu-field pro perty, you can use the FieldProperty() method. The general syntax is:
Boolean = !menu.FieldProperty (<FieldName>, <Proper tyName>)
Where the fields have the following meanings:
<FieldName> is the name of the field you want to change.
<PropertyName> is the name of the property you want to change in the named field. The
allowed values are:
• ‘ACTIVE’ - greyed in or out
• VISIBLE’ - visible or invisible
• ‘SELECTED’ - selected or unselected (toggle type f ields, only. Specifically, this value
cannot be used with bars)
Note: The property names may optionally be truncated to the first three characters ‘ACT’, ‘VIS’, and ‘SEL’. For example:
!bar = !!MyForm.bar
sets local variable !bar to be a reference to the b ar gadget of form !!MyForm.
Then
!isSet = !bar.FieldProperty( 'Foo', ‘ACT’)
will get the greyed-out status of the menufield on bar that has the field-name “Foo”. You can
use the same method to change the selected status o f a toggle menu field.
A separator field and all following fields up to b ut not including the next separator field
implies a menu-field group. You can modify the ACTI VE and VISIBLE properties of all fields
in the group, by reference to its separator name. F or example, for the menu:
!menu = !this.newmenu( 'file', 'Main' )
!menu.add( 'MENU', 'Send to', 'SendList', 'SendTo' )
!menu.add( 'SEPARATOR', 'SaveGroup' )
!menu.add( 'CALLBACK', 'Save', '!this.SaveFile()',' Save' )
menu.add( 'FORM', 'Save as...', 'SaveFile', 'SaveAs ' )
!menu.add( 'SEPARATOR', 'explGroup' )
!menu.add( 'FORM', 'Explorer...', 'ExplFile', 'Expl ' )
<FieldName> is the name of the field you want to change.
<PropertyName> is the name of the property you want to change in the named field. The
allowed values are:
• ACTIVE’ - greyed in or out
• VISIBLE’ - visible or invisible
• SELECTED’ - selected or unselected (toggle type fi elds, only. Specifically, this value cannot be used with bars)
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Creating Menus Dynamically | Executing the method
!menu.SetField( 'saveGroup', 'visible', false )
will make the all the fields invisible for the grou p currently implied by the separator field ‘SaveGroup’, i.e. the fields SaveGroup, Save and SaveAs.
The combination of named SEPARATOR fields, insertio n and field group visibility will be useful for managing the sharing of menus between co -operating sub-applications. This facility should be used with great care.
You can create new menus from within your appware dynamically using the form method NewMenu(). For example, you could equip your form w ith the methods popupCreate() and popupAction() which would allow you create and serv ice a popup menu from an array of
strings. Executing !this.popupCreate(‘NewPopup’, !f ieldArray) will create a new popup menu and assign it to the form.
define method .popupCreate( !name is STRING, !field s is ARRAY )
--!fields is an array of field name strings
!menu = !this.newmenu( !name, ‘popup’ )
--add all the fields with same open callback
do !n from 1 to !fields.size()
!menu.add( 'Callback', !fields[!n], '!this.menu Action(' )
enddo
-- assign the new menu as the form’s popup menu
!this.setpopup( !menu )
endmethod
define method .popupAction( !menu is MENU, !action is STRING )
-- General popup menu action routine
if ( !action eq ‘SELECT’ ) then
!name = !menu.fullname()
!field = !menu.pickedField
-- execute application actions according to the field selected
$P selected field $!field of menu $!name
else
-- execute applications for unselected field (t oggle)
endif
endmethod
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System Font and Unicode characters | Form layout
The Form Layout section explains how to lay gadgets out on a form.
F&M supports a system font which provides the character representations used w ithin any forms, gadgets and menus which you define. This system font has variable width characters (referred to as VarChars ), so different characters may have different widths.
A notional character width for the font is also supported. This is a sort of a verage width (usually the width of upper-case X), and provides a rough guide to the width of a text string as (number of characters X notional width). The rec ommended system font also supports
many of the World's character sets, so forms can be designed to use non-English characters, and even to mix different languages on the same form. In order to achieve this PML and F&M now use the Unicode standard as their internal character format.
Two layout modes are supported, namely VarChars an d FixChars. VarChars is a new layout mode, based on measuring precise string widt hs. It is better suited to the use of variably spaced fonts, and removes the need for mos t uses of the TagWidth specifier. The
benefits of using VarChars are:
• It tends to produce smaller, more pleasing forms, without unwanted space.
• No text wrap-around, except possibly in conjunctio n with TagWidth.
• No truncation of explicitly defined text except po ssibly in conjunction with TagWidth.
The recommended layout mode for all new forms is:
setup form !!formname . . . VarChars
FixChars is the old layout mode (prior to PDMS12.1 ), which is based on the use of notional character width to calculate the (approx.) sizes of textual gadgets and gadget tags.
Because the calculated sizes are only approximate t he user has to make frequent use of the gadget's Width specifier and TagWidth specifier and considerable trial and error to achieve a desired layout. The default layout mode for setup f orm is FixChars, because this will be the least disruptive for existing user Appware, so FixC hars mode will currently result from either of
setup form !!formname . . .
setup form !!formname . . . FixChars
See the FMSYS object method
!!FMSYS.SetDefaultFormLayout(layout is STRING)
that allows users to change the default layout mode for Setup form. This can be used to help est any existing appware which is using setup form !!formname . . ., in either mode to determine which forms need layout adjustment.
Future Change to VarChars as Default Layout Mode
The intention is to change the recommended layout m ode to be VarChars at a subsequent
PDMS release. It is probable that this will be achi eved by introducing the alternative,
optional, form definition Syntax
Layout form !!<form_name> . . . exit
This will ensure VarChars mode (and NoAlign) by def ault. |
System Font and Unicode characters | Containers, Grid Co-ordinates and Gadget Boxes
The Form and its Frame gadgets act as containers for holding gadgets. Typically gadgets are laid out in their containers from left to right and from top to bottom. Each container has a rectangular co-ordinate grid with origin (0, 0) at the top at the top left-hand corner. Each gadget has an origin at its top left-hand corner and a width and height , which together define a notional gadget box , which contains the gadget including its tag-text if defined. Layout involves positioning each gadget, b y its origin, at a specified position within the grid of its container and indicating its width and height.
• The grid horizontal pitch is the notional characte r width for the system font. Because this font is variably spaced, n horizontal grid units do not equate to n characters.
Generally, it is more than n unless the string has a high proportion of wide characters e.g. capitals, numerals, w's, m's etc. I t is important that you understand this concept when you specify gadget sizes.
• The grid vertical pitch is the line-height , which is the height of the tallest of the textual gadgets: TOGGLE, BUTTON, OPTION, TEXT or single-lin e PARAGRAPH.
For the Form container its extremities are referred to as XMIN form , YMIN form , XMAX form and YMAX form .
The extremities of a gadget box are referred to as XMIN.gadget , YMIN.gadget , XMAX.gadget an YMAX.gadget .
When new gadgets are added to a container, the XMAX and YMAX extremities grow to include the gadget boxes.
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System Font and Unicode characters | Positioning, Alignment and Size of Gadgets
We strongly recommend that you lay out your form u sing auto-placement in combination with relative placement and use the NoAlign keyword.
Note: This is vital because it allows gadgets to be added , removed, and repositioned,
without having to adjust the geometry of all the ot her gadgets on the form.
Auto-placement chooses a gadget's position coordinate automaticall y relative to the last placed gadget.
Relative placement uses the AT syntax to specify a gadget's position c oordinate relative to a previously placed gadget.
NoAlign switches off the default approximate centre-alignme nt of the gadgets TEXT, OPTION, COMBO, TOGGLE and single line PARAGRAPH for path right and path left, which interferes with Auto-placement.
A gadget's size component , width or height, is either a literal value, or a previous gadget's size component, or an extension to a previous gadge t's co-ordinate limit, i.e. min or max.
The last option, referred to as sizing to Positional Extent , uses the width to… and height to… syntax. This makes it much simpler to lay out compl ex and resizable forms.
The following example form demonstrates layout of a simple, fixed size dialog form using the VarChars layout mode. Each gadget's position is set within t he gadget definition either, implicitly using auto-placement , or using the AT syntax. Gadget sizes are set implicitly, or
relative to the size of other gadgets or to the pos itional extents of other gadgets.
Note: No actual co-ordinate positions are required to sp ecify this form. It is mostly undesirable and unnecessary to specify a gadget's p osition as absolute grid coordinates, e.g. at x 12, y 5; we recommend defining the layout of each gadget relative to a predecessor.
This allows simple editing of the layout, without h aving to calculate new positions. There are exceptions, for example, for the first gadget in a form or frame, where you may want to establish an initial x or y co-ordinate that is not at the default position.
Here is the corresponding PML code for the form: us ingVarChars.pmlfrm. The 'layout' keywords are emboldened and explained later in the chapter. |
Auto-placement | setup form !!usingVarChars dialog Varchars NoAlign
$*-- layout form !!usingVarChars dialog
title |Form !!usingVarChars|
path down
paragraph .para1 text 'Simple form layout using V arChars'
frame .frame1 |frame1: See my gadgets|
paragraph .para2 text 'text positioned implicit ly in frame1'
frame .frame2 |frame2: path right|
toggle .tog1 |BBC news 24|
path right
toggle .tog2 |BBC 1|
toggle .tog3 |BBC 2|
path down
vdist 0
frame .frame3 |frame3: path down, vdist 0| at xmin.frame2 width to max.frame2
-- path down, vdist 0 gives minimum vertica l spacing
rtoggle .rad1 |ClassicFM| at xcen.frame3 - 0.5 * size
rtoggle .rad2 |Caroline|
rtoggle .rad3 |BBC Radio 2|
exit
exit
exit
button .cancel |CANCEL| at xmin form CANCEL
path right
button .ok |OK| at xmax form-size OK
exit
Auto-placement uses the PATH , DISTANCE and ALIGNMENT commands, which have the following meanings:
• PATH The direction in which the next gadget origin will be placed relative to the previous gadget.
• DISTANCE The distance increment between gadgets along the cu rrent path.
• ALIGNMENT Specifies how the next gadget aligns to the previou s one for the current path.
Relative placement means specifying the new gadget position by reference to the extremities of a previously defined gadget. It is a lso possible to position gadgets using explicit form coordinates, but this is rarely neces sary.
The path along which gadgets are to be added, is s et using a PATH attribute: Usually PATH right or PATH up, occasionally PATH left or PA TH down. The default direction is PATH right. The current path direction is set until you give a different PATH command.
To specify the horizontal and vertical displacemen t between adjacent gadgets, use the
HDISTANCE and VDISTANCE keywords, respectively. The default displacements are
HDIST 0.2 grid units, VDIST 1.0 grid units. Note th at these specify clearance distances
between gadgets (for example, the distance between the XMAX of one gadget and the XMIN
of the next), not the distance between gadget origins, thus: |
CABLE TRAY APPLICATION Configuration of tools | The Choose Options dialog box allows the configuration of component choices, as well as connection rules when they are created. It is possible to define a default component specification.The selected specification will then be recommended automatically when creating Cable Tray, Branch and Components. |
CABLE TRAY APPLICATION Creation of cable path | CrCable Tray eation: Name of the cable path Specification Attributes Branch creation: Branch name Specification Attributes Attribute information window: Name Design Code Inspection Schedule Paint Schedule Tray Duty Material Reference FlUid Reference Case Reference Temperature Pressure etc... |
CABLE TRAY APPLICATION Connections of the ends of branches | When creating a branch, it is possible to configureRer the Head and Tail connection points of this one These connections are managed manually, because unlike Piping, cable trays cannot be connected to nozzles Once one of the connections is configured, the branch appears dotted between the Head and the TailIt is also possible to connect the Head and Tail of a branch to cable tray components |
CABLE TRAY APPLICATION Creation of components | Cable Tray Specicfication ChOix of Specifications Allows you to choose the specifications of the components to be created Creation/Re-selection mode of a component Choosing the type of elements to be created, Configuration of the direction of creation forward backward Position Modifications/position of a componentCreate Creating a component In the same way as in the Piping module it is possible to change the orientation and position of the components with the Model Editor Change Exit and Route Component allow the modification of inputs and outputs for multi-channel componentsThe Swap Branch function allows you to reverse multi-channel components The straight lengths of cable trays are automatically managed by AVEVA E3D In the majority of cases, the straight lengths are represented by a simple cylindrical volume representedFeeling the axis of the cable path The Fill With Straights and Remove Straights functions allow the automatic generation and deletion of straight sections whose maximum lengths are specified in the catalog Unlike cylindrical volumesBy default, whose length automatically adapts between 2 components, the sections are considered components in their own right and must be modified manually or regenerated |
CABLE TRAY APPLICATION Nomenclatures and Isometrics | Piping pipe Isometrics The nomenclature of a cable path can be generated by a deferral From the bar ribbon, in the Piping discipline it is possible to edit an isometry and the nomenclature of a cable tray |
HVAC DESIGNER APPLICATION The basics | This module allows the creation of HVAC parts AVEVA E3D allows you to create ventilation elements according to the following hierarchy model: HVAC BRANCH HVAC Components BEND STRAIGHT TRANSFORMATION... NOTE: The HVAC module is close to the Piping module. An HVAC element must contain a branch, it then has at least 2 ends, which are the Head and Tail of the branch. However, if he hasOf several branches, it can have more than 2 ends. |
HVAC DESIGNER APPLICATION Tool configurations | Create HVAC Create an HVAC System Element HVAC Main Branch Create a Main BRanch Element Choice of Specifications and name. Selection of the direction and dimensions of the Head Choice of the specification and thickness of heat insulation. Head Start: defined where the head will be positioned. NOTE: To define the dimensions of the HeAd, use the Picture icon... |
HVAC DESIGNER APPLICATION Creation of components | Categories Choose the category of components you want See chapter 2 4 for more informationAvailable Types Choose the type of components available in this category See chapter 2 4 for more information Once the category and type of elements have been selected A dialog box appears Fill in the dimensions (Attention this boIte differs depending on the category and type of element chosen) |
HVAC DESIGNER APPLICATION Library of available items | Here is the library of items available in the HVAC moduleHVAC rectangular HVAC Circular HVAC Shape Transformation HVAC Extra Equipment HVAC Nozzle Items HVAC Inline Plant Equipment HVAC Branch Connectors |
AVEVA E3D Introduction | AVEVA E3D is a software that uses databases Indeed, work on AVEVA E3D does not use a so-called "drawing" file such as AutoCAD Microstation or SolidWorks To better understand, AVEVA E3D organizes the elements created in baIts of data that are prioritized in the following way PROJECT (ex: FTN) MDB Multiple Data Base (ex: FTN ALL) DB(Database) MODEL in writing DB(Database) CATALOGUE in read-only DB(Database) DRAW in writing NOTE: There is pOther types of DB (Database), the same database can be attached to several MDBs (Multiple Database), and can be read-only or write-only for the user. |
PRESENTATION OF AVEVA E3D Starting the software | List and choice of project User name Password Choice of the MDB Stamp: Project backup choice Choice of E3D Model Draw Isodraft Spool Paragon module |
PRESENTATION OF AVEVA E3D User Interface | Quick Access Toolbar Ribbon Model Explorer 3D graphic view view Properties |
AVEVA E3D THE HIERARCHY Common hierarchy | Elements common to allAll the hierarchies (PIPES, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT,...) WORL Site Zone |
AVEVA E3D THE HIERARCHY Specific hierarchy (examples) | Zone EQUI SUBE Primitives ( BOX, CYLI, NOZZ ) PIPE BRAN Piping Components(VALV,ELBO,...) STRU FRMW SBFR STRUCTURAL Elements |
AVEVA E3D THE INTERFACE Model Explorer | This dialog box allows you to view the elements of the database, and to position yourselfR also in this one The blue highlighted current element, corresponds to the active element It is called by the initials CE Current Element Drag and drop Drag and drop allows you to take an object from the Model Explorer and display it in the 3D view Right click menuAtttibutes display the attributes Rename rename the current element Delete delete the current item Add CE To Current Collection add to Active collection Add CE Members to Current Collection add members of the current item to the active collectionNew Explorer display a new explorer for this item Copy copy eg Ctrl C Paste paste eg Ctrl +V Add display in the graphic view Add Only display the item without its group Add Connected show the connected elements Add Supports show mediaAdd Supported Element display supported elements Add Within Volume display the elements in the volume Add Laser Within Volume display the laser in the volume Remove undisplay Remove Only Remove the item without its group Remove linked media Remove linked mediaHightlight highlight Unhightlight remove the highlight Command Window Add this: adds the object in the 3D view Rem ce: remove the object in the 3D view Rem all: remove all objects in the 3D view NOTE: It is essential to know how toEpérer in the database thanks to this browser. It allows you to position yourself well to create the elements. |
AVEVA E3D Using the mouse in a view | LEFT CLICK Selection of an itemMIDDLE BUTTON Mollette Front/Rear: Zoom IN / OUT Button: Refocus view RIGHT CLICK Power Wheel NOTE: The right-click menu is only accessible in the background of the view. |
AVEVA E3D Graphic view | Automatic representation: Enable by default this option allows the automatic management of the representation of the elements (transparency, edges) at their display Temporary representation: Allows you to manage the representation of future elementsDisplayed, these colors are only temporary, the undisplay of an element resets its representation |
AVEVA E3D Setting the graphic view | View Setting: CuRrent View Allows the configuration of 3D window options. Projection adjustment of the view perspective Rotate adjustment of the rotation mode Effects Choice of visual effects (Disable Shadows to optimize performance) Tools Display of graphic orientation aidsBackground Choice of the background color of the view Capping Choice of the color of the cutting sections Lighting Brightness adjustment Anti-alias Enable or disable anti aliasing The level allows you to determine the fineness of the trace of a diagonal line PRead the level is higher, the more powerful the computer's processor must be Point cloud Enable or disable the display of a point cloud NOTE: The Background color allows you to change the background color of the 3D view, it is important to put it inWhite when printing screens. "Graphics Drawlists" Allows the configuration of the graphical representation of the elements in the 3D window. Tube representation of pipes Centreline representation of piping axes Holes Drawn representation of holes (negative)Flange Bolts representation of flange holes Tracing representation of tracing (pipes) Insulation representation of heat retardants (pipes) Hvac Tube Translucendy HVAC 3D Display Management Obstruction representation of the volumes of obstructionsArc Tolerance precision of the representation of the arcs Level :(see the Equipment Application manual) |
AVEVA E3D THE INTERFACE Management of views | By default, only one graphic windowUe is active when the software is opened The items displayed in this window are listed in a drawlist collection It is possible to open several graphical windows, with drawlists that may be different Separate View CreatedEr an independent view with a drawlist different from that of the main view Cloned View Create a view identical to the main view but allowing a different orientation Local View Create a view whose drawlist content is the selection on the main viewNew Create an empty view with an independent drawlist Grid plane Create a grid |
AVEVA E3D THE INTERFACE Selection of elements in the graphic view | Navigate to The Navig functionAte To Element allows the choice of primitives in the General Discipline, it does not work with the Model Editor. This function allows the selection of only one element (CE). Multiple selection: A multiple selection can be made with theA Ctrl key or by a selection rectangle with a left click The CE is not necessarily included in the selected elements Selection with left click It allows you to choose two selection options depending on the direction in which you create your selection rectangleSelection of the elements included entirely in the rectangle. Selection of all objects passing through the rectangle. |
AVEVA E3D Keyboard shortcuts | F1 Help F2 Left windowF3 Object snaping F4 Project Snap onto LCS F5 Walk mode F6 Fly mode F7 Show grid F8 Orthogonal lock F9 Grid snap F10 Polar tracking F11 Wired mode F12 Dynamic hints |
AVEVA E3D Quick Access Toolbar | Savework backup Getwork: recovery of the latest bases Undo / Redo: Cancel / Redo eq Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y) Discipline: Choice of discipline and associated tools NOTE: To add launch iconsNt quick function in the Quick Access Toolbar, just right-click on the tool to add and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar. |
AVEVA E3D Tooltip | When hovering the mouse over the elements of the graphic view, it is possible to display a table of information relating to the element by pressing "shift" |
AVEVA E3D Positioning of windows | When moving a window on the edges of the screen a location appears on the edges of the screen, to lock this position just let go of the left click |
AVEVA E3D Rules and conventions | AVEVA E3D is a CAD software, based on a database The user acts on this database and E 3 D makes it a graphic interpretationThis implies a few simple rules 1 Each element is identified in the database thanks to a n called the Refno reference number 2 Each Name name given to an element must be unique 3 In the same hierarchy, the name of the parent owner is transmitted toThe child member Ex Equipment /EQUI 01 Under equipment /EQUI 01 /CHASSIS 4 All names begin with " / " (not visible in the Model Explorer) 5 " / " is used as the default separator (of a parent/child hierarchy) 6 The current element CE isUnique, there can only be one element chosen in the explorer 7 AVEVA E3D uses a graphical interface that allows the selection of several elements These elements then become a graphic selection neg À CE 8 A graphic group is a setWhich can be displayed or undisplayed independently The most common are the following EQUI Equipment Under Equipment SUBE Branch BRAN 9 The creation of SITES and generally ZONES are managed by the administrator |
AVEVA E3D DATABASES Attributes | Home Attributes Each element of the database is determined by different attributes These attributes can be filled in directly by the user from the windowBe attribute, or through the creation and modification tools For example, a cylinder is determined by a Diameter attribute and a Height attribute Track CE Allows an automatic update of attributes on the CE It is possible to activateFilters on the attributes to facilitate reading in the Attributes window NOTE: The Q ATT command allows the display of the attributes of the current element in the command window Right-click menu in the dialog box Navigate To Navigate toThe target of the link that becomes CE Set Attribute Value to CE Fills the attribute by the name of the CE WRT Element Choice of repository Display P-Points Display of P-Points attributes (Primitive) Track CE Automatic window update Categorised/Alphabetical Sort attributes by category and alphabetical order Expand / Collapse Nodes Display of node attributes Modify / Category Filters Modify the display filters Manage Category Filters Management of filters by item Display standardD Attributes Displaying the main attributes Display UDAs Display of UDA (User Defined Attribtuts) attributes Display Pseudo attributes Display of pseudo attributes Columns Display of Columns Description and Data Type Settings Display of undefined attribute valuesExport to Excel Export attributes to Excel Print Preview Visualization before printing NOTE: UDAs are attributes created by the administrator. Some features are not usable with the Track CE function. |