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Gasper Jansa, Cosylab SLAC, April 2005. Visual DCT upgrade. Outline. History & Functionality Archiver Configuration Plugin Alarm Configuration Plugin Spreadsheet view Substitution file editor Conclusion. Very popular visual database configuration tool Open source, funded by many labs
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Gasper Jansa, Cosylab SLAC, April 2005 Visual DCT upgrade
Outline • History & Functionality • Archiver Configuration Plugin • Alarm Configuration Plugin • Spreadsheet view • Substitution file editor • Conclusion
Very popular visual database configuration tool Open source, funded by many labs Main features: Written in Java Extendable - plugins Stores graphical information as comments Reads also databases without graphical info Hierarchical database structure is possible Easy to learn Visual DCT - Overview
Archiver Configuration Plugin • Supports EPICS Channel Access Archiver configuration files (XML) • Import a predefined XML file • Create a new group with one click • Define a group and channel attributes • Move records from a list that is generated from the template to the tree structure
Alarm Handler Configuration Plugin • Import a predefined configuration files • Move records from a list to the tree structure • Complicated structure can be created with only few mouse clicks • Add all attributes to a group or channel • Guidance • Commands • ….
Spread sheet view • Bob’s idea • Useful for EPICS databases with little logic (i.e. links). • Tables are on a tabbed pane – one table per tab for each record type and one record per row. • All cells are editable, in a similar fashion as in property inspector • Possible to customize which fields to display • Use search
Substitution file editor • Don’t worry about syntax • Large amount of macros can be easy controlled • Check if number of macros match number of substitutes
Conclusion • Visual DCT already provided an excellent tool for database configuration • New plugins provide added value – possibility to configure some essential EPICS tools from within the Visual DCT. • You are always very welcome to contribute new ideas or sponsor developments