Datalink Dialog Box
The Datalink dialog box displays the following items:
Source
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Item |
Description |
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Edit Box |
Allows you to enter a data source or expression for this Data link. Data source refers to a reference to a source of information, such as iFIX tagnames and historical files, or other OPC-compliant data servers. A data source may also consist of iFIX objects (such as shapes, charts, and variables) or 3rd party OLE controls. Single lettered tags named A through P are not allowed. Expression refers to constants, data sources, or a combination of constants and data sources that are connected with one or more operators. |
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Browse Button |
Use the Browse (...) button to open the Expression Builder dialog box. |
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Quick Modify Button |
Use the Quick Modify button to modify a database block directly without launching the Database Manager. |
Data Entry
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Item |
Description |
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Type |
Allows you to configure whether or not operators can enter data into the Data link at run-time. To allow operators to enter data into the link and write a new value to the database tag during the next scan cycle, select In-Place from the list. To prohibit data entry at run-time, select None. |
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Confirm |
When enabled, requires operators to confirm that they want to write data to the database after they have entered a new value in a Data link at run-time. Note that this option is only available if In-Place is selected in the Data Entry Type list. |
Output Error Mode
Allows you to specify how errors are processed for this Data link. To accept an input value and return a corresponding output value, select Use Current Output. To use values from a lookup table, select Use Error Table. If an incoming input value matches an entry in the table, that output value is returned.
For more information on different error configurations, see the Creating Pictures electronic book.
Formatting
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Item |
Description |
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Raw Format |
Allows you to enter data in its raw (or native C code) format. If this check box is enabled, you can edit the format by entering a C format string in the Format field. Only the use of %f, %g, %e, %s formats is supported. Any other format is forced to %7.2f. |
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Format |
Allows you to enter a C format string (%f, %g, %e, %s) to display data in its raw, native C code format. Only the use of %f, %g, %e, %s formats is supported. Any other format is forced to %7.2f. Displays when the Raw Format check box is selected. |
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Type |
Allows you to configure whether the data represented by the Data link should be formatted as numeric or alphanumeric data. To format numeric data, select Numeric from this list and enter an integer from 0 to 7 in the Whole Digits and Decimal fields. To format alpha-numeric data, select Alpha-Numeric from this list and enter the number of lines and the number of characters per line that you want to display in the Data link. Displays when the Raw Format check box is cleared. |
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Justify |
Allows you to justify the alignment of the Data link's text. Text can be aligned to the left, center, or right of the Data link. Displays when the Raw Format check box is cleared. |
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Lines |
Allows you to enter the number of lines that you want to display in an alpha-numerically formatted Data link. Displays when the Raw Format check box is cleared. |
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Char/Lines |
Allows you to enter the number of characters per line that you want to display in an alpha-numerically formatted Data link. Displays when the Raw Format check box is cleared. |
