Visual DCT upgrade Gasper Jansa, Cosylab SLAC, April 2005

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

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 – …. Alarm Handler Configuration Plugin

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

Spread sheet view – artistic impression

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