Rockwell Automation 2708-NAG User Manual
Allen-Bradley
Application
Generator
User
Software
(Cat. No. 2708-NAG)
Manual
Important User Information
Solid state equipment has operational characteristics differing from those of
electromechanical equipment. “Safety Guidelines for the Application,
Installation and Maintenance of Solid State Controls” (Publication SGI-1.1)
describes some important differences between solid state equipment and
hard–wired electromechanical devices. Because of this difference, and also
because of the wide variety of uses for solid state equipment, all persons
responsible for applying this equipment must satisfy themselves that each
intended application of this equipment is acceptable.
In no event will the Allen-Bradley Company be responsible or liable for
indirect or consequential damages resulting from the use or application of
this equipment or software.
The examples and diagrams in this manual are included solely for illustrative
purposes. Because of the many variables and requirements associated with
any particular installation, the Allen-Bradley Company cannot assume
responsibility or liability for actual use based on the examples and diagrams.
No patent liability is assumed by Allen-Bradley Company with respect to use
of information, circuits, equipment, or software described in this manual.
Reproduction of the contents of this manual, in whole or in part, without
written permission of the Allen-Bradley Company is prohibited.
Throughout this manual we use notes to make you aware of safety
considerations.
ATTENTION: Identifies information about practices or
circumstances that can lead to personal injury or death, property
!
damage, or economic loss.
Attentions help you:
• identify a hazard
• avoid the hazard
• recognize the consequences
Important: Identifies information that is especially important for successful
application and understanding of the product.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft
Toshiba is a trademark of Toshiba America, Inc.
PLC is a registered trademark of Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.
PLC-5 is a trademark of Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.
Table of Contents
Application Generator
User Manual
Overview
Installing & Starting
Application Generator
Using Application
Generator
Chapter 1
What Is It? 1 – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Does It Do? 1 – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Who Can Use It? 1 – 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Does It Work? 1 – 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contents of This Manual 1 – 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conventions Used 1 – 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Related Publications 1 – 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 2
System Requirements 2 – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation 2 – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Application Generator 2 – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Default Personality 2 – 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 3
Keystroke Summary 3 – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic Control Key Functions 3 – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simulated Device Input Keys 3 – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Purpose Keys 3 – 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Variables 3 – 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Main Operations Menu 3 – 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F1 – General Help 3 – 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F2 – Display To Screen 3 – 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3 – Keyboard Read/Laser 3 – 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F4 – Read From Laser Or Device 3 – 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5 – Send To Host Or Device 3 – 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F6 – Move, Transfer, Add, Etc. 3 – 1 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F7 – Other Operations 3 – 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding A-B VBASIC Functions 3 – 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F8 – IF (Conditional) 3 – 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F9 – GoTo Or Loop To Position 3 – 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fl0 – File (New, Load, Save, Generate) 3 – 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Editing a Program 3 – 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Running & Compiling
Applications
Sample Program Listing
Chapter 4
Introduction 4 – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Running a Program 4–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compiling and Downloading a Program 4 – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix A
Default Personality A – 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
i
Table of Contents
Application Generator
User Manual
Tables & Figures
Table 1.A
Summary of Contents 1 – 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 2.1
Application Generator Main Screen at Startup 2 – 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.1
The Application Generator Main Screen and Main Operations Menu. 3 – 3. . . .
Figure 3.2
AG Display to Screen Menu 3 – 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.3
AG More Display to Screen Menu 3 – 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.4
AG Read From Keyboard/Laser Menu 3 – 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.5
AG Field Attributes Menu 3 – 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.6
AG Range Selection Menu 3–7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.7
AG Lookup Options Menu 3 – 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.8
AG Timeout Selection Menu 3 – 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.9
AG Read Laser/Device Menu 3 – 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.10
AG Send to Host/Devices Menu 3 – 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.1 1
AG Communications Line/LED Menu 3 – 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.12
AG Move/Transfer/Add Menu 3 – 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.13
AG Transfer to Variable Menu 3 – 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.14
AG Other Math Operations Menu 3 – 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.15
AG More Complete Operations Menu 3 – 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.16
ii
Table of Contents
Application Generator
User Manual
AG Other Operations Menu 3 – 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.17
AG Sound Menu 3 – 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.18
AG On Condition Menu 3 – 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.19
AG On Other Inputs Menu 3 – 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.20
AG Conditionals (IF) Menu 3 – 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3.21
AG File Operations Menu 3–20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
iii
Chapter 1
Overview
Chapter
1
Overview
This brief chapter provides an overview of the A-B VBASIC Applications
Generator Software (Cat. No. 2708-NAG). The topics it covers include
descriptions of:
• What it is
• What it does
• Who can use it
• How it works
• Contents of this manual
What Is It?
What Does It Do?
The Application Generator (AG) is an interactive program development tool
for Catalog No. 2708–DH5B2L and -DH5B4L products from Allen-Bradley
Company. It simulates a workstation on a standard personal computer (PC).
An AG developer trains a DH5 workstation by interactively modifying its
current behavior until the desired functions are achieved.
Because the developer is working with the actual operation of the program,
instead of trying to relate the program’s behavior to a listing of program
source code, development with AG is both faster and more intuitive than
using traditional programming techniques. AG allows a wider range of
programmers to develop software. It no longer requires a “software
engineer” to write an application program within a reasonable amount of
time.
The simulation is controlled by the AG master program. The AG developer
first loads an initial personality file (with the extension .AIP) into the
simulator program.
The personality file contains a set of operations which are eventually
compiled into an A-B VBASIC program. The operation of the program is
controlled by menu selections within AG.
Unlike an actual program, the personality can be executed stepwise, both
forward and backward. Any operation the simulator program performs can
thus be “undone”. The developer can easily insert missing operations, and
delete extraneous operations.
When the program successfully simulates a desired application, it generates
an A-B VBASIC program. On the workstation, that program will perform
identically to the A-B VBASIC computer simulator.
1–1
Chapter 1
Overview
Who Can Use It?
How Does It Work?
An AG developer should have a good grasp of the problem to be solved, and
be familiar with use of PC-
based products. General programming skills may
be beneficial, although they are not required.
While AG substantially decreases development time, and improves overall
program quality, it cannot duplicate the in-depth problem analysis, and
insight available only from a human developer.
The simulation is controlled by the AG master program. The AG developer
loads an initial personality (.AIP) file into the simulator program.
The personality will contain a set of operations that are eventually compiled
into an A-B VBASIC program. The operations are selectable from menus
within AG.
Unlike a program, a personality can be executed stepwise, both forwards and
in reverse. This means that any operation the simulator program performs
can be undone. This provides true ‘hands on’ access to programming instead
of the more common indirect approach.
The AG developer steps forwards and backwards through the operation of
the current personality. Where operations are missing, the developer inserts
them. If the personality performs extraneous operations then the developer
deletes them.
Contents of This Manual
This manual provides the information necessary to use the Application
Generator software. It includes 4 chapters and an appendix.
Table 1.A
Summary of Contents
Chapter
1 Overview Provides an overview of the manual.
2
3
4
Appendix A Sample Program Listing
Installing and Starting
Application Generator
Running & Compiling
Title Purpose
Describes how to install the software on your
system, and how to begin using it.
Using Application
Generator
Applications
Describes how to navigate the software’s menu
system and create your own application
simulations.
Describes the steps necessary to compile an
application based upon your successful simulation.
Provides a complete listing of the default application
for reference and further study.
Index
1–2
Chapter 1
Overview
Conventions Used
The following conventions are used in this manual:
• All menus and screens reproduced in this manual are approximate
renderings of what you will see on your terminal screen. Allen-Bradley
reserves the right to make minor modifications to any menu or screen to
help improve performance.
• A symbol or word appearing in brackets represents a single key on the
computer keyboard. For example: [ESC], [ENTER], or
[BACKSPACE].
On some keyboards, the [ENTER] key is labeled [ ↵ ] or [RETURN].
• The Application Generator software has many configuration parameters
from which you can choose. Throughout the manual these parameter
names are italicized wherever they appear.
• Information which you can select or enter into the menus or screens
appear in the text as bold type.
Related Publications
Publication No. Title Purpose of Publication
2708-801 Application Generator User Manual
2708-802 Network Manager User Manual
2708-803 Basic Language Kit User Manual
2708-2.3
2708-2.2
A-B VBASIC vs. Visual BASICt
Interfacing a 2708 Attended Workstation
Network with a Flexible Interface Module
Other publications to which you may want to refer include:
Describes how to use Application Generator Software to create
custom application programs.
Describes how to use the Network Manager Software to
configure the workstation for a variety of network configurations.
Describes how to use the Basic Language Kit source files to
reduce program development time.
Describes the differences between standard Visual BASICt
and the Allen-Bradley VBASIC modified for use with the
2708-DH5B_L workstation.
Describes how to implement the 2708-DH5 into the 1771
architecture
1 – 3
Chapter 2
Installing and Starting Application Generator
Chapter
2
Installing and Starting Application Generator
This chapter contains information which will help you prepare to use the AG
software to develop new applications. It includes information on:
• System requirements
• Installation instructions
• Starting AG
• The default personality
System Requirements
Installation
Starting Application Generator
AG requires an IBM PC or IBM PC compatible which has at least 512K of
RAM, a hard disk, and DOS 3.2 or later. Because AG must have access to
the VB command during operation, your system must be equipped with a
complete and functional copy of Microsoftt Visual BASIC.
Before running install, you should change to the floppy drive containing the
diskette which has the INSTALL.BAT file on it. You should be at the A: or
B: prompt.
To install AG on drive C, type : INSTALL C: [ENTER]
To install AG on drive D, type : INSTALL D: [ENTER]
AG must have access to the VB command during operation, so you must also
have a complete and functional copy of Microsoft Visual BASIC Version 4.5
or later on your system.
First, change directories to AG:.
At the C or D prompt, depending on the location of the AG directory, change
the path to AG.
C:\ > CD \ AG [ENTER]
Then type AG to start the program.
C:\ AG > AG [ENTER]
A welcome screen identifying the program and its version number will
appear briefly as the program loads. It will be followed by the AG Main
Operations Screen.
The AG screen appears below. Note that the screen contains a number of
functional areas that remain consistent throughout the program.
2 –1
Chapter 2
Installing and Starting Application Generator
Figure 2.1
Application Generator Main Screen at Startup
Simulated DH5
Display
Simulated DH5 Input &
Output Devices
(access using Alt L,
Alt H, Alt C, or Alt A)
Contents of Variables
Being Used
Program Operations
You Have Entered (use
up and down)
The Default Personality
Program Status
Operations Menu
(use function key or
the highlighted
letter to select)
Status and
Help Lines
On the last line of your CRT you will see a message:
Personality name to load: Default
The default personality is a sample application development program which
simulates a number of typical DL5 functions:
• Displays a message Use F1 to F4
• Waits for user to enter a badge or press a function key.
• Branches to various editing and entry routines to illustrate many of the
features of AG.
• Sends the badge data to the host.
• Loops back to the start.
You may call up this personality simply by depressing the [ENTER] key. A
complete listing of this program appears in Appendix A.
You can exit from the program at any time by pressing [ALT] X.
For additional information on AG commands, refer to Chapter 3.
2 – 2
Chapter 3
Using Application Generator
Chapter
3
Using Application Generator
This chapter provides a detailed summary of how you can use AG to
generate your own custom applications. It includes:
• a concise summary of the keystrokes used by the program
• an explanation of variables as used in AG
• an explanation of each menu choice on the AG screens
• instructions for editing a program
Keystroke Summary
The following list provides a summary of the special keystroke functions
recognized by AG.
Basic Control Key Functions
Commonly used keys for controlling the Applications Generator.
[ALT] R RUN the program starting at line 1 (ESC to stop).
[ALT] G Go (RUN) starting at this line.
[ALT] U Undo back to this line.
[ALT] E Edit the current program in full screen mode.
[ALT] V List the variables in the program.
[Up Arrow] Undo the previous line (if stepping) or up one line.
[Down Arrow] Execute the next line (if stepping) or down one line.
[INS] Toggles into single step mode.
[ESC] Stop running or abandon current operation
[DEL] Delete line or operation. Press twice.
[ENTER] Edit current operation.
Simulated Device Input Keys
[ALT] L Simulate input from bar code port (key entry).
[ALT H Simulate input from host computer (key entry).
[ALT] C Simulate input from COM1 RS-232 line (key entry).
[ALT] A Simulate input from COM2 RS-232 line (key entry).
[ALT] F
[ALT] N Simulate the next line of input from the response file (file entry).
Select a DOS file to use for simulated inputs. Specify the input device by
entering the first letter of Laser, Host, Com, or Aux.
3 – 1
Chapter 3
Using Application Generator
Special Purpose Keys
[PAGE UP] Skip up 6 lines or change field size.
[PAGE DOWN] Skip down 6 lines or change field size.
[END] Move to the end of the program.
[HOME] Undo or move to the start of the program.
[ALT] I Set or clear the interrupt (breakpoint).
[ALT] D Allows you to specify a device log file that will store I/O transactions.
– Moves the current line to the edit buffer.
+ Copies the current line to the edit buffer.
* Inserts the edit buffer above the current position.
Variables
Variables are named storage locations. They can each hold up to 80
characters of information. When you start AG, you are given the variables
“IN”, “OUT”, “SRC”, “NET”, “COM”, and “AUX”. Any time you are asked
for a variable name, you can key in one of the built in names, or make up one
of your own. Use [ALT] V to see all of your variables.
By using variables, you can move data from place to place such as from the
badge reader to the display.
The names of the default variables give you a hint as to how to use them. The
name of a variable does not in any way affect what you can use it for. A
name is just a way of referring to the same group of characters.
Variable names must not start with a quote mark (“) or a digit. It is good
practice to use just one word. Upper and lower case does not matter.
In many cases where you are asked for a variable name, you can key in a
number or a string. (A string is characters enclosed in quotes.) These are
constants.
3 – 2
Loading...