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Special Functions
COM
COM - Microsoft Interface stands for Component Object Model, a specification for developing modular software components which can be used by each COM compatible application. COM components can be easily integrated in such applications and can even be removed from an application at run time. COM components can be programmed in various different programming languages although C++ is used mostly. The specifications OLE, ActiveX and DirectX are based on the COM technology.
Objects for the COM Manager
ComManager Object
COM - dpGetDescription()
Returns the description of a datapoint element.

Special Functions
- Audit Trail panel
- Authentication via Kerberos, basics
  In a more and more networking world, a WinCC OA system could be exposed to different types of attacks. An unauthorized WinCC OA system could connect to the distribution manager or hackers could try to manipulate WinCC OA messages.
- Common Name Service (CNS)
  The plantmodel editor can be used for building and modifying data structures such as views and trees based on CNS and use them within projects easily.
- COM
  COM - Microsoft Interface stands for Component Object Model, a specification for developing modular software components which can be used by each COM compatible application. COM components can be easily integrated in such applications and can even be removed from an application at run time. COM components can be programmed in various different programming languages although C++ is used mostly. The specifications OLE, ActiveX and DirectX are based on the COM technology.
  - Requirements for COM in WinCC OA
  - Objects for the COM Manager
    - ComManager Object
      - COM - Init()
        Initializes (starts) the COM manager.
      - COM - dpGet()
        Reads values from datapoint attributes and saves the values in variables.
      - COM - dpSet()
        Assigns values to datapoint attributes.
      - COM - dpConnect()
        Builds a hotlink to attributes of datapoint elements.
      - dpConnectCB()
        Event as an reaction when a value changes.
      - COM - dpDisconnect()
        Disconnects a hotlink.
      - COM - dpElementType()
        Returns the appropriate element type for a datapoint element
      - COM - dpGetAlias()
        Returns the alias of a datapoint element.
      - COM - dpGetAsynch()
        Returns the historic values that were valid at that time.
      - COM - dpGetAsynchIntervall()
        Executes a dpGetAsynch() in every interval. This is a specific function for the Excel report.
      - COM - dpGetDescription()
        Returns the description of a datapoint element.
      - COM - dpGetDescriptionLang()
        Returns the description of a datapoint element in all available project languages.
      - COM - dpGetFormat()
        Returns the format of the datapoint element.
      - COM - dpGetPeriod()
        Returns the values of datapoint attributes over a specific period.
      - COM - dpGetPeriodIntervall()
        Query of datapoint attributes over a specific period. This is a specific function for the Excel report.
      - COM - dpGetUnit()
        Returns the unit of a datapoint element.
      - COM - dpNames()
        Returns all datapoints corresponding to the specified type and pattern.
      - COM - dpQuery()
        Queries values of datapoint attributes with the aid of SQL statements.
      - COM - dpTypes()
        Returns all datapoint types that match the pattern.
      - COM - getLangIdx()
        Returns the index of the specified language in the project.
      - COM - getLicense()
        Returns the amount of licenses that are still free for the API type.
      - COM - getTimeList()
        Returns single datapoints within a period. This is a specific function for the Excel report.
    - ProjAdmin-Object
    - ProjAdminAuto Object
  - EXCEL example
- OLE DB Provider
  OLE DB is a Microsoft specification for accessing data on different computers. It is based on Microsoft's COM technology and is the successor to the older and limited ODBC technology.
- CtrlExtension
  The CtrlExtension allows the addition of custom C++ code.
- CTRL OA Unit
- DBLogger, basics
- Input Recording
- Generic Dialog Framework
  The Generic Dialog Framework is an easy way to generate your own dialogs by adjusting a set of prefabricated panels.
- HTTP Server
  The HTTP Server integrates Internet technologies directly into WinCC OA . Implemented as an add-on for the Control Manager, possible applications are many and diverse. The HTTP Server can be used as a web server for static HTML pages including download facility or to generate dynamic HTML pages.
- DP Identification
- Insights Hub Connector
  The Insights Hub connector allows you to upload data from WinCC OA to Siemens Industrial Cloud Insights Hub and to process data. WinCC OA supports the integration of SCADA data from WinCC OA to Insights Hub.
- Message Compression
  The message compression compresses WinCC OA messages. Data compression means encoding information using fewer bits than an unencoded representation would use through use of specific encoding schemes.
- Node-RED
  Node-RED is a flow-based programming tool that allows the creation of applications in a graphic environment.
- Panel topology/Group alert facility
  Tree structure for process panels with integrated group alert system
- PM Agent
  The PM Add-ons product portfolio enhances the base functionality of the WinCC product range. Now this is also supported by WinCC OA.
- Redundant network connections
  In order to achieve a better fault tolerance WinCC OA Managers can connect to other WinCC OA Managers running on different computers via redundant network connections (this means connecting through two network connections (= IP connection)).
- Redundancy
  The high availability requirements of plant constructors and operators as well as the process and data security can be covered with the redundancy concept of WinCC OA.
- XML Reporting
  The Reporting feature allows you to create reports in XML format. Therefore, add the WinCC OA Reporting Manager to your project. Historical data can be queried via the Reporting manager by using the SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) interface. SOAP is a network protocol which allows sending data in XML format between systems.
- Reporting with Panels (Silent print)
- Recipes, basics
  Recipe Management Systems are used for managing and storing the set points and commands of automated systems defined by numerous datapoint elements. Even when simulating or testing an application, a relatively large number of set points or input values need to be sent to the peripheral devices by the control system. In these and other situations such a tool represents a great simplification.
- REST Reporting API
  The REST Reporting API is integrated into the Standard web server and can be activated via the config entry [restRporting] enabled.
- Scheduler, basics
  The main task of the scheduler is to allow you to create, configure and administrate a number of schedules of either time or event triggered actions.
- Security
- System Use Notification
  You can use the system use notification panel to display an instruction to the user when logging into the WinCC OA system. The user must confirm the notification before logging into the WinCC OA project.
- System Overview
  A panel for the diagnostics of a WinCC OA system.
- Alive mechanism of manager connections
  The alive mechanism in WinCC OA serves for connection controlling between the single managers. Each manager sends alive messages at definable intervals.
- Encryption
- Distributed systems
  Distributed systems in WinCC OA allow to connect two or more autonomous WinCC OA systems via a network.
- Maintenance package, basics
  Maintenance is a necessity wherever different pieces of equipment are used. For example, drives, valves, motors, where it is necessary to perform maintenance work at specific intervals so as to ensure proper functioning. But prolonging the service life of equipment by means of regular maintenance and cost reduction are also key factors in plant engineering and automation technology.
- Wizard Framework
  Used for easy creation of wizards in a uniform layout style. The key elements "Navigation Bar" and "Bottom Bar" can be customized to fit the needs of the custom wizard.
- XML Panel Format
  The XML (Extensible Markup Language) panel format allows creating WinCC OA panels.
- XML-RPC
  XML-RPC (Extensible Markup Language Remote Procedure Call) allows software on different operating systems to make procedure calls over the internet. XML-RPC uses HTTP for the transport and XML for the encoding. It sends the procedure call to a remote server through HTTP. The call is an XML document and it receives the response as XML.
- XMPP
  XMPP (formerly Jabber) is mostly used in chat (instant messaging) applications and allows near real time communication between two or more parties. It can, e.g., be used to push information from a WinCC_OA project server to one or more persons, even allowing the recipient to send a confirmation back to the server.

COM - dpGetDescription()

Returns the description of a datapoint element.

Synopsis

HRESULT dpGetDescription([in] VARIANT vDpName, [in, defaultvalue(-3)] int iMode, [out, retval]VARIANT *vDescription);

Parameter


Parameter	Description
vDpName	Datapoint element or datapoint
iMode	Mode for the operating mode
vDescription	The description of the datapoint element or datapoint

Description

In contrast to the CTRL function of the same name, no langStrings are supported, as there are no corresponding variable types in the COM object model. The parameter vDpNames supports both a single string and an array of strings. The result depends on what is used.

If the value -3 (default) is used for the iMode parameter, the ComManager uses the default value from the config file. Otherwise, the mode is used as described in the CTRL function dpGetDescription()

EXAMPLE

(See ComSample.xls, CComSample)

Public Sub dpGetDescription()
Debug.Print moComManager.dpGetDescription("_mp_ANALOG2.analog.value")
End Sub

Assignment