The datapoint editor - PARA module

Datapoint types and datapoints can be created and configured in a number of different ways in WinCC OA. With mass configuration, the settings of a datapoint can be inherited when creating new datapoints. All datapoints inherit the settings (configs with the set parameters) of a master datapoint.

Although it is possible to use ASCII files for importing from external sources, the more convenient option is to work with the PARA module. In the DemoApplication, this module is started by right-clicking on the line containing the following entry:

User Interface -m para

Then select the ManagerStart option in the context menu. To open the PARA module in English, you have to add the entry -lang en_US.iso88591. Double click on the entry User Interface -m para in the WinCC OA console and add -lang en_US.iso88591 after the entry to read: -m para -lang en_US.iso88591. Select the Start option. The PARA module opens now in English.

Figure: Datapoint Configuration - PARA Module

The following chapters explain in detail how to configure datapoint types using PARA, how to create datapoints and edit sample datapoints, as well as how to set parameters in configs:

• Mass configuration

• Datapoint types

• Datapoints

• PARA module

• Datapoint configs

• ASCII Manager

• ASCII Manager Panel

In WinCC OA, datapoints can also be created at runtime by Control scripts (see also the CONTROL function dpCreate()).

Configuration data / datapoints

Configuration data and datapoints are saved in a separate database. The parameters are actually set via the PARA module (see also PARA module) or by importing data point lists from ASCII files. A command line function as well as a convenient dialog window is provided for this purpose (see also ASCII Manager and ASCII Manager Panel).