User interface components
The TwinCAT Database Server is integrated in Visual Studio 2013 and Visual Studio 2015. The TwinCAT Connectivity extension for Visual Studio offers a new project system. This can be used for creating a file-based TwinCAT Database Server project, for example. Typical components such as the Properties window, the Solution Explorer and the error output are supported. In addition, various editors for editing the configuration files are provided.
Any number of TwinCAT Database Server projects can be integrated in a TwinCAT connectivity project.
The project icon indicates the state of the set target system:
- Red: The TwinCAT Database Server cannot be reached.
- Blue: The TwinCAT Database Server has no valid license. (See Licensing)
- Green: The TwinCAT Database Server can be reached and is ready for use.
- Violet: The TwinCAT Database Server is in AutoLog mode. Data are exchanged between PLC and database.
The TwinCAT Database projects map a file-based project system. The individual configuration documents are managed in the Solution Explorer. Any modifications that are pending in the editors are identified with * in the documents. If changes are made without opening a document (through the Properties window), the changes are nevertheless registered. Further information on the project system can be found in section "TwinCAT Database Server project".
Toolbar and commands
The toolbar has the following elements:
Toolstrip button | Description |
|---|---|
| Activation of the configuration |
| Read configuration of the target device |
| Save configuration in an XML file |
| Read configuration from an XML file |
| Add new database configuration |
| Add new AutoLog group |
| Event display |
| Database pool |
| AutoLog Viewer |
| InformationLog View |
| SQL Query Editor |
Properties window
The settings for the different project documents can be configured via dedicated editors or via the Properties window. During this process the file content is modified, but not the metadata in the project file of the TwinCAT Connectivity project.
The individual properties are described in more detail in the lower part of the Properties window. Note that some lists can only be edited in the editor.
Output and error list
Visual Studio features an integrated console output. The TwinCAT Database Server uses this feature to issue notifications, warnings or error messages. To this end the category "TwinCAT Database Server" can be selected in the output. It is possible that this category does not yet exist, if there was no previous message from the TwinCAT Database Server.
In addition, the Visual Studio error list is used for communicating the main information.
Both windows can be opened in Visual Studio via View > Error list/Output.