Knowledge Base

In order to support variables with 12 branches, new columns have been introduced in the Varexp.dat configuration file. Backward compatibility is preserved for an existing project and it is possible to enforce the use of the former format using 6 branches on a new project.

A new property with two options is used to control the behavior.

Selecting Use 6+1 fields for storing variable names will not introduce new columns, but all branch segments after the 6th will be stored dot-separated in the column #9 of the file that was reserved and unused until now.

This is the default when you upgrade a project from an earlier version. Using this option is the good choice if you need a third-party tool or Excel macros to read the Varexp.dat file. It ensures full compatibility if you keep variable names fewer than 6 segments.

REG,650,Branch01,Branch02,Branch03,Branch04,Branch05,Branch06,Branch07.Branch08.Branch09.Branch10.Branch11.Register01,””,””,,,,,,I,

Selecting Use 12 fields for storing variable names will introduce 6 new fields starting at column #9, thus breaking compatibility if a third-party tool or Excel macros need to read the Varexp.dat.

This is the default value when creating a new project using version 10.0. Using this option is the good choice if you want to ensure human readability and easy copy/paste of lines and columns because each branch segment will be in its own column even if variable names include more than 6 segments. But third-party tool or Excel macros designed to read the Varexp.dat file will need to be modified, even if you keep variable names under 6 segments.If you use this option, the field #15 becomes reserved and must not be modified by hand. It is used as an indicator of the line format.

REG,650,Branch01,Branch02,Branch03,Branch04,Branch05,Branch06,Branch07,Branch08,Branch09,Branch10,Branch11,Register01,,””,””,,,,,,I,

Full compatibility is ensured because this setting’s value only impacts the Varexp.dat saving by PcVue. It does not impact interpretation rules when loading the configuration. As usual, PcVue is still able to read former formats of Var.dat, VarName.dat and Varexp.dat whatever this option’s value. And it is the same for file you import online via SCADA Basic scripts. Even better, you can mix variables described with 6+1 or 12 fields in the same file. Upon saving, PcVue will “normalize” the Varexp.dat format according to the setting’s value.