The WorkSpace provides both a configuration and a run-time environment. The configuration environment provides all necessary development tools, including access to toolbars and the files in the system tree. In addition, any process-monitoring background tasks that may be running, such as your I/O drivers and enabled alarm services, continue to run while the configuration environment is active.
The run-time environment, on the other hand, is designed for operators. With this environment, operators can display pictures and monitor your process. Typically, the run-time environment is configured to restrict operator access to other parts of iFIX by hiding menu bars and disabling the ability to task switch.
You can toggle between the two environments to test and run your pictures and schedules. As you switch environments, the status bar updates. In the configuration environment, the text Configure appears. When you switch to the run-time environment, the text changes to Run.
Documents open in one environment remain open even when you switch to the other environment. For example, if you have two pictures and one schedule open in the configuration environment, these files remain open when the run-time environment becomes active. If you close one of the pictures in the run-time environment and switch back, the picture that you closed is now closed in the configuration environment. The other picture and the schedule both remain open.
You cannot switch to the configuration environment in the iFIX WorkSpace while a script is running. Similarly, you cannot exit the application. Once the script completes, you can switch environments and exit normally.
The same restrictions apply to scripts running in pictures. You cannot close a picture until all running scripts complete.
Switching to the run-time environment also hides the system tree, if it is displayed, and your toolbars. Switching back reverses the process.
NOTES: To improve performance, close unnecessary, open documents before switching between environments to test a picture.
