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2010, Schneider Electric

All Rights Reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, read or stored in a retrieval system, ortransmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Schneider Electric.This document is produced in the United States of America.

Andover Plain Engl ish is a trademark of Schneider Electric.

Andover Inf inet is a trademark of Schneider Electric.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Andover Plain Engl ish Language ReferenceAugust, 2010

Rev. F

Schneider Electric part number: 30-3001-872

CyberStation Version 1.9

The information in this document is furnished for informational purposes only, is subjectto change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by SchneiderElectric. Schneider Electric assumes no liability for any errors or inaccuracies that mayappear in this document.

Schneider ElectricOne High StreetNorth Andover, MA 01845(978) 975-9600Fax: (978) 975-9782http://www.schneider-electric.com/buildings

Schneider Electricii


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Plain English Language Reference iii

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Fundamentals

Introduction .......................................................................................................................1-Continuum Products..................................................................................................1-

Continuum System Architecture .....................................................................................1-Simple Continuum System ........................................................................................1-Moderate Continuum System....................................................................................1-System Components.................................................................................................1-

Network Controllers................................................................................................1-InfinetControllers ...................................................................................................1-MS/TP Controllers..................................................................................................1-I/O Modules............................................................................................................1-Workstations ..........................................................................................................1-CyberStation Software ...........................................................................................1-Database................................................................................................................1-Infinet......................................................................................................................1-LBUS......................................................................................................................1-MS/TP ....................................................................................................................1-

Objects and Classes .........................................................................................................1-Objects ......................................................................................................................1-

Object Naming Convention ....................................................................................1-Alias Naming Convention.......................................................................................1-

Classes......................................................................................................................1-BACnet Objects vs. Continuum Objects ...................................................................1-

At tr ibutes .........................................................................................................................1-1How to View Attributes ............................................................................................1-1Basic Attribute Listing..............................................................................................1-1Accessibility.............................................................................................................1-1

Object Ownership ...........................................................................................................1-1Hierarchical View of System Objects ......................................................................1-1Network Paths .........................................................................................................1-1


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Chapter 2 The Plain English Integrated Development Environment

Opening the Plain English IDE ........................................................................................2-From the Continuum Main Menu...............................................................................2-From the Continuum Explorer ...................................................................................2-From the Start Menu .................................................................................................2-Creating the Program File .........................................................................................2-

Plain English IDE Features...............................................................................................2-

IDE Tools Overview...................................................................................................2-Title Bar .....................................................................................................................2-

The Menu Bar ....................................................................................................................2-File Menu...................................................................................................................2-Edit Menu ..................................................................................................................2-View Menu.................................................................................................................2-Build Menu.................................................................................................................2-Tools Menu................................................................................................................2-Window Menu............................................................................................................2-Help Menu .................................................................................................................2-

The Main and Find Toolbars ..........................................................................................2-1

The Main Toolbar ....................................................................................................2-1The Find Toolbar .....................................................................................................2-1

The Check Toolbar and Command Line .......................................................................2-1The Check Toolbar..................................................................................................2-1The Command Line.................................................................................................2-1

The IDE Explorer .............................................................................................................2-1Popup Shortcut Menu..............................................................................................2-1

The IDE Editor .................................................................................................................2-1Displaying Multiple Programs..................................................................................2-1

The IDE Assistant............................................................................................................2-1Selecting and Placing Objects.................................................................................2-1

The IDE Watch Bar ..........................................................................................................2-1Rearranging IDE Toolbars and Windows................................................................2-1

Docking and Floating......................................................................................................2-1Using the Docking and Floating Options.................................................................2-1

Configuring a Plain English Program File....................................................................2-1Configuring the Program File ..................................................................................2-1

Using the Editor ..............................................................................................................2-2Text Entry ................................................................................................................2-2The Editor Shortcut Menu .......................................................................................2-2Finding Text.............................................................................................................2-2Replacing Text ........................................................................................................2-2

Going to a Labeled Program Line ...........................................................................2-2Importing Programs.................................................................................................2-2Exporting Programs.................................................................................................2-2Saving the Program.................................................................................................2-2Opening the Program..............................................................................................2-2Running the Program from the Command Line ......................................................2-2Monitoring the Program File Status.........................................................................2-2Stopping the Program .............................................................................................2-2


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Using the Plain English Wizard .....................................................................................2-3Opening the Plain English Wizard...........................................................................2-3The Wizard File Selection Menu .............................................................................2-3Selecting and Configuring a Wizard Program.........................................................2-3The Object References Screen...............................................................................2-3The Final Wizard Screen.........................................................................................2-3

Chapter 3 Programs, Files and the Scanning ProcessPlain English Language Programs..................................................................................3-

Instructions and Statements......................................................................................3-Names and Case Sensitivity .....................................................................................3-Use of "The" ..............................................................................................................3-Lines and Line Labels ...............................................................................................3-Comments .................................................................................................................3-Expressions...............................................................................................................3-

Numeric Expressions .............................................................................................3-String Expressions .................................................................................................3-

Keywords ...........................................................................................................................3-

Other Words ..............................................................................................................3-Command Line ..........................................................................................................3-

Program Flow ....................................................................................................................3-Looping vs. FallThru...............................................................................................3-

Triggers .....................................................................................................................3-Construct ing Program Statements .................................................................................3-

Conditional and Unconditional Instructions ...............................................................3-IFTHEN..................................................................................................................3-

Program Files ..................................................................................................................3-1Keep Control in a Single Program File ....................................................................3-1

The Scanning Process....................................................................................................3-1Scan Action List.......................................................................................................3-1Other Actions...........................................................................................................3-1The Basic Stages ....................................................................................................3-1Stage 1. Updating System Variables ......................................................................3-1Stage 2. Updating Schedules..................................................................................3-1Stage 3. Updating Input Points ...............................................................................3-1Stage 4. Running Programs and Executing Commands ........................................3-1Stage 5. Updating Output Points.............................................................................3-1Stage 6. Evaluating Alarms .....................................................................................3-1

Other Scanning Issues ...................................................................................................3-1Numeric, String, and DateTime Points....................................................................3-1Updating Point Logs ................................................................................................3-1Triggering Programs from Points ............................................................................3-1Exported Points .......................................................................................................3-1Power Failure Conditions and the Firing Order.......................................................3-1


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Chapter 6 Funct ions, Arrays, and Logs

Funct ions ...........................................................................................................................6-Calling a Function......................................................................................................6-Calling a Function without Arguments.......................................................................6-Calling a Function with Arguments............................................................................6-Functions that Return a Value...................................................................................6-

Arrays .................................................................................................................................6-

Setting Up an Array of Variables ...............................................................................6-Logs....................................................................................................................................6-

How a Log Updates...................................................................................................6-How to Retrieve Log Values......................................................................................6-Log Update Intervals .................................................................................................6-Log Types..................................................................................................................6-Setting Up a Log........................................................................................................6-Using Arrays or Logs in Functions ............................................................................6-

Chapter 7 Keywords

Section 1 Format Conventions ..........................................................................7-Keyword Formatting Standard ........................................................................................7-

Identical Format for All Keywords .............................................................................7-Format .......................................................................................................................7-Purpose .....................................................................................................................7-Remarks ....................................................................................................................7-Example.....................................................................................................................7-Related Keywords .....................................................................................................7-Alias...........................................................................................................................7-Products Supported...................................................................................................7-Modes Available ........................................................................................................7-

Text and Symbols Used in the Format Heading ............................................................7-Format Heading Information......................................................................................7-Capital Letters ...........................................................................................................7-Bold Italics .................................................................................................................7-Parentheses ( ) ..........................................................................................................7-Italics .........................................................................................................................7-Comma (,) and Colon (:)............................................................................................7-Period (.)....................................................................................................................7-

Format Terms in Bold Italics ...........................................................................................7-Replacement of Terms..............................................................................................7-Number......................................................................................................................7-Integer .......................................................................................................................7-String .........................................................................................................................7-Name.........................................................................................................................7-List .............................................................................................................................7-


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Section 2 Keyword Groups ................................................................................7-Logical Keyword Groups..................................................................................................7-

Logical Keyword Groups Listing................................................................................7-Restricted Keywords ...............................................................................................7-1250 Display Unit Keywords .....................................................................................7-1

Section 3 Keywords A through C ....................................................................7-1ABSFunction ..........................................................................................................7-1

AccessLog System variable...................................................................................7-1AccessServerSystem variable..............................................................................7-1ACOSFunction .......................................................................................................7-1Alarms System variable..........................................................................................7-1ANDOperator .........................................................................................................7-2ARGSystem variable..............................................................................................7-2ASCFunction ..........................................................................................................7-2ASINFunction .........................................................................................................7-2ASK Function ..........................................................................................................7-2ATANFunction........................................................................................................7-3ATAN2Function......................................................................................................7-3

AUDIOBELL System variable.................................................................................7-3AvailRecordsSystem variable...............................................................................7-3AVERAGEFunction................................................................................................7-3BACKLIGHTSystem variable.................................................................................7-3BASEDON..GOTOStatement ................................................................................7-3BEGINPOLYLINEFunction ....................................................................................7-4BITANDOperator....................................................................................................7-4BITNOTOperator....................................................................................................7-4BITOROperator ......................................................................................................7-4BITXOROperator....................................................................................................7-4BLUEConstant .......................................................................................................7-4

BREAKStatement ..................................................................................................7-4CabinetTamperSystem variable ...........................................................................7-4CDStatement..........................................................................................................7-5CEILINGFunction...................................................................................................7-5CHRFunction..........................................................................................................7-5CLEARSCREENFunction ......................................................................................7-5CLOSEFunction .....................................................................................................7-5CloseFileFunction..................................................................................................7-6CloseListFunction .................................................................................................7-6CloseWindow Function..........................................................................................7-6CONTINUEStatement ............................................................................................7-6

CONTROLFunction................................................................................................7-6COSFunction..........................................................................................................7-7CPUPowerSystem variable (programmable).........................................................7-7CurUserFunction ...................................................................................................7-7CurWorkstationFunction.......................................................................................7-7


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LOCATE Function.................................................................................................7-19LOGFunction........................................................................................................7-20MAXIMUMFunction ..............................................................................................7-20MAXITEM Function...............................................................................................7-20MessageWindowConstant..................................................................................7-20MicroPowerSystem variable ...............................................................................7-20MIDFunction .........................................................................................................7-20MINIMUMFunction ...............................................................................................7-20MINITEMFunction ................................................................................................7-21MINUSOperator....................................................................................................7-21MINUTESystem variable ......................................................................................7-21MODOperator.......................................................................................................7-21ModemPower System variable (programmable)..................................................7-21MONTHSystem variable.......................................................................................7-21MOVEStatement ..................................................................................................7-22NewAlarmCountSystem variable........................................................................7-22NOFILLConstant ..................................................................................................7-22NOTOperator........................................................................................................7-22NUMERICStatement ............................................................................................7-22NUMTOSTRFunction ...........................................................................................7-22

Section 6 Keywords O through R..................................................................7-23OBJECTStatement ..............................................................................................7-23OFFConstant........................................................................................................7-23ONConstant..........................................................................................................7-23-ONConstant ........................................................................................................7-23OPENFunction (comm port) .................................................................................7-23OpenFileFunction ................................................................................................7-23OpenList Function ................................................................................................7-24OROperator..........................................................................................................7-25

PStatement...........................................................................................................7-25PASSEDFunction.................................................................................................7-25PlayAudioStatement ...........................................................................................7-25PLUSOperator......................................................................................................7-26PositionFileFunction ...........................................................................................7-26PowerFail System variable...................................................................................7-26PowerUpTimeSystem variable............................................................................7-26RANDOMFunction ...............................................................................................7-27READFunction (comm port) .................................................................................7-27ReadFileFunction.................................................................................................7-28ReadProperty Function ........................................................................................7-28

ReaderPowerSystem variable.............................................................................7-28RelinquishFunction .............................................................................................7-28REPEAT..UNTILStatement..................................................................................7-29RETURNStatement..............................................................................................7-29RIGHTFunction ....................................................................................................7-29ROTATEStatement ..............................................................................................7-29ROUNDFunction ..................................................................................................7-29RUNStatement .....................................................................................................7-29


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Section 7 Keywords S through Z...................................................................7-30SAVEStatement (on controller) ............................................................................7-30SAVEStatement on workstation ...........................................................................7-30SCANSystem variable..........................................................................................7-31SEARCHFunction ................................................................................................7-31SECONDSystem variable ....................................................................................7-31SELECT (CASE)Statement .................................................................................7-31SendEmailFunction .............................................................................................7-32SETStatement ......................................................................................................7-32SETDISPLAYFunction.........................................................................................7-32ShellStatement ....................................................................................................7-32ShowStatement ...................................................................................................7-33SHOWREPORTStatement...................................................................................7-33SINFunction..........................................................................................................7-33SQRTFunction......................................................................................................7-33StandardDeviationFunction................................................................................7-34STATUS#System variable (programmable).........................................................7-34STOPStatement ...................................................................................................7-34STRINGStatement ...............................................................................................7-34STRINGFILLFunction ..........................................................................................7-34STRTODATEFunction..........................................................................................7-35STRTONUMFunction ...........................................................................................7-35SUCCESSConstant..............................................................................................7-35SUMFunction........................................................................................................7-35SystemStatusSystem variable............................................................................7-35TAB Function ........................................................................................................7-36TANFunction ........................................................................................................7-36TDLocal variable ..................................................................................................7-36THLocal variable ..................................................................................................7-36

THEStatement......................................................................................................7-36TIMEPIECEFunction ............................................................................................7-36TIMESOperator ....................................................................................................7-36TM Local variable.................................................................................................7-36TODSystem variable ............................................................................................7-36TOUCHEDCELL System variable ........................................................................7-37TRUNCATEFunction............................................................................................7-37TSLocal variable...................................................................................................7-37TURNStatement ...................................................................................................7-37UniquePINSystem variable..................................................................................7-37UPDATEFunction.................................................................................................7-37

UpdateExtLogFunction .......................................................................................7-38VERSION System variable....................................................................................7-39WEEKDAYSystem variable .................................................................................7-39WHILEStatement .................................................................................................7-39WHITEConstant ...................................................................................................7-39WriteFileFunction ................................................................................................7-39WritePropertyFunction........................................................................................7-40YEAR System variable..........................................................................................7-40


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Appendix A ASCII Codes ....................................................................... A-

Appendix B Reserved Words ................................................................ B-

Appendix C At tributes ........................................................................... C-

Appendix D Programming the DCX 250 Display Uni t.......................... D-

Understanding Pre-designed Graphic Controls ...........................................................D-

Predrawn Control Graphics......................................................................................D-Placing a Pre-designed Graphic Control on the 250 Screen.......................................D-

Preliminary Steps .....................................................................................................D-Basic Considerations................................................................................................D-Additional Considerations.........................................................................................D-The CONTROL Keyword.......................................................................................... D-The Arguments.........................................................................................................D-CONTROL Keyword Example.................................................................................. D-Setting Up the Software ........................................................................................... D-Format ...................................................................................................................... D-Argument Descriptions............................................................................................. D-

Steps and Tick Marks............................................................................................. D-1Positioning the Control ........................................................................................... D-1

Sett ing the Control Size.................................................................................................D-1Switches and Knobs Cannot be Resized............................................................... D-1Gauge Controls Retain Their Shape...................................................................... D-1Minimum Control Size ............................................................................................ D-1If the Control Doesn't Appear .................................................................................D-1

Graphic Control Style 1 Specifications........................................................................D-1Graphic Control Style 2 Specifications........................................................................D-1Graphic Control Style 3 Specifications........................................................................D-1Graphic Control Style 4 Specifications........................................................................D-1Graphic Control Style 5 Specifications........................................................................D-1Graphic Control Style 6 Specifications........................................................................D-1Graphic Control Style 7 Specifications........................................................................D-2Graphic Control Style 8 Specifications........................................................................D-2Graphic Control Style 9 Specifications........................................................................D-2Graphic Control Style 10 Specif ications......................................................................D-2Graphic Control Style 11 Specif ications......................................................................D-2Graphic Control Style 12 Specif ications......................................................................D-3Graphic Control Style 13 Specif ications......................................................................D-3

Appendix E BACnet Propert ies and Plain Engl ish ..............................E-Appendix F Alarm Functions ................................................................F-

Appendix G Area LockDown Features ................................................. G-


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1Fundamentals

This chapter provides basic introductory concepts covering the architecture of theAndover Continuum building automation system that are essential to developing accurateprograms in the Andover Plain English Language. Since Andover ContinuumCyberStation is an object-oriented system, this chapter explains the concept of objects,aliases, and classes. In addition, the chapter focuses on object attributes, theirassociation to objects, and then ends with the discussion of hierarchical arrangementwithin a physical network.

The Fundamentals chapter discusses the following topics:

Introduction

Continuum Structure Architecture

Objects and Classes

Attributes

Object Ownership


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Introduction

The Andover Plain English language (PE) was developed by Schneider Electric toprovide our customers with the ability to customize their building automation systems inaccordance with specific site requirements. Similar to BASIC, PE is based on keywordsthat provide a simple straightforward approach to developing programming statements

and requires minimal programming experience.

Andover Plain English is included as part of Andover Continuum's Plain EnglishIntegrated Development Environment (IDE), a complete suite of highly integrated tools forwriting, editing and debugging PE programs. The Plain English IDE is described inChapter 2 of this document.

The programs developed with PE support the Andover Continuum line of BACnet andInfinity controllers and workstations.

Andover Continuum Products

The Andover Continuum product line encompasses a wide variety of componentsincluding InfinityCX 9xxx series controllers, CX 9680 and CX 9681 NetController IIcontrollers, CX 99xx NetControllers, Andover Infinet controllers, i2 Series controllers,BACnet series controllers, input/output IOU modules, display modules and smartsensors. These components are interconnected through various networkingarrangements to create a total building automation system.

Depending upon the complexity of the site architecture, a system can range from a singlecontroller with or without a workstation to a large configuration consisting of a network ofmultiple workstations, a database server, and numerous controllers.

From a programming perspective it is important that you have an understanding of howContinuum products are interconnected. A brief introduction of these arrangements andthe products is provided on the following pages.


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Andover Continuum System Architecture

The following is an explanation of the different configurations and the systemcomponents of the Andover Continuum system.

Simple Andover Continuum SystemIn a simple single-workstation configuration, an Andover Continuum site might consist ofa single NetController, with some input/output (I/O) modules and the workstation PCrunning CyberStation software. In BACnet solutions, the bCX1 Router might be presentalong with several MS/TP sub-controllers. The NetController and the bCX1 use EthernetIP protocol to communicate with the workstation. The stand-alone version ofCyberStation is resident on the workstation PC along with the database containing theconfiguration data for the entire system.

Ethernet IP Network

Andover Plain EnglishLanguage Reference1-3

Example of a Continuum/BACnet Single Workstation Network

Moderate Andover Continuum System

The Andover Continuum system design is based on scalability, so expansion to a multi-workstation, larger network configuration can be accomplished easily. The illustration onthe following page shows such a setup. In this configuration, the Ethernet LAN has beenexpanded to include another workstation, a database server, an InfinityCX 9xxx seriesnetwork controller and a BACnet bCX1 controller. In addition, two Infinetcontrollers have

been added to the original NetController (from the figure above) via its Infinetport.Like the simple system shown above, this is a Continuum/BACnet-compliant system. Itprovides interoperability between existing Infinity/Infinet and BACnet devices over acommon Ethernet backbone. The CX controller feeds two Infinetapplication controllersfrom its Infinetport. The bCX1 controller serves as a gateway between the BACnetMS/TP RS-485 subnet and the Andover Continuum Infinet subnets hosted by the InfinityCX and NetController. This entire network can be viewed and controlled on aCyberStation/B-OWS workstation. A single server running MS SQL server softwarecontains the Continuum database.

NetController

ACC I/O Bus

Local field wiring

bCX1BACnetRouter Network

Path

PC WindowsWorkstation runningCyberStation withDatabase

IOU ModulesBACnetMS/TPRS-485


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Network Controllers

There are four types of Andover Continuum network controllers:

InfinityCX 9000 series

CX 9680 and CX 9681 NetController II

CX 99xx NetController

bCX1 BACnet Controller/Router ACX seriesAccess Control

All are IP compatible and each contains at least one port to allow communication withapplication controllers.

Andover Infinet Controllers

These controllers include combinations of inputs and outputs for the monitoring andcontrol of local sensors and devices. There is a wide variety of Infinetcontrollers. Eachdevice is designed for a specific purpose:

DCX 250Display Control

LCX800 seriesLocal Control

LCX89X seriesLighting Control

SCX seriesSystem Control

TCX seriesTerminal Control (HVAC, VAV, smoke detection)

i2 series (also referred to as Infinet II)Updates and replaces many of the olderInfinet controllers. The i2 series controllers have flash memory for firmware andobject storage.

Infinetcontrollers are connected to network controllers via the Infinetnetwork.

MS/TP Contro llers

Schneider Electric offers a complete line of MS/TP BACnet-compatible sub controllers(b3 series) that are functionally equivalent to the entire i2 product line.

I/O Modules

Continuum I/O modules are specialized units that receive sensor inputs and activateequipment (valves, fans, and so on) and perform access control functions. They connectdirectly to the NetController II or the CX99xx NetController. Available I/O modules include

input, output, mixed I/O, and display configurations.


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Workstations

A personal computer (PC) connected to the Andover Continuum Ethernet network servesas an operator workstation. The system can contain a single workstation or multipleworkstations, depending on the site configuration.

CyberStation Software

CyberStation is a Windows-based application program that runs on a PC workstation andinteracts with the control system. It provides a graphic user interface (GUI) that candisplay and manipulate data that allows the entire site management of adjustingschedules and setpoints, acknowledging alarms, controlling doors, tracking personnel,etc.

Database

The Database stores all the vital information pertaining to the building automation controlsystem. The database engine is either Microsoft SQL server or SQL Desktop Edition.

Andover Infinet

TheAndover Infinetis a high performance, token-passing LAN that allows Infinetapplication controllers to communicate with each other and to a single CX orNetController. Using InfiLink repeaters, it is possible to have 127 Infinetcontrollers onone Infinet. Data transmits over the Infinetat a rate of 19.2 Kb/sec.

LBUS

The LBUS is an RS-485-based protocol that is used by the system AC256 tocommunicate with older IOU modules. The NetController can communicate to these IOU

modules using the LA-1 converter. Only one LBUS can be connected to a CX controller.Each LBUS can handle up to 16 IOUs.

MS/TP

MS/TP is an RS-485 based network that connects Andover Continuum and third-partyBACnet devices to the bCX1 controller.


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Objects and Classes

CyberStation is based on object-oriented programming principles. Objectsand classesare the basic building blocks of the system. Each item appearing on a CyberStationworkstation screen represents an object. There are hardware-based objects (controllers,workstations, I/O points) and software-based objects (system variables, attributes).

Furthermore, the objects can be grouped into classes.

Objects and their aliases follow distinct naming conventions that are described in thefollowing paragraphs.

Objects

Objects are the basic building blocks of Schneider Electric's Andover Continuum controlsystems. All the items that make upthe system, both hardware and software areidentified as objects. Each item appearing on a CyberStation workstation screenrepresents an object. For example, objects contained within the controller class include:

CommPort

Input

Output

User

Group

Graphical icons, displayed in the Continuum Explorer, represent both hardware objectsand software objects.

Object Naming Convention

When you create a name for an object in CyberStation, the system automatically createsa second object identifier called an Alias. The object name can be lengthy and descriptivewhereas the object alias must conform to a stricter naming convention (see "AliasNaming Convention" on the next page).

The object name is stored in the Continuum database, not in the controller.


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The set of characters allowed in object names, called the "Naming Character Set, isdescribed below.

The Naming Character Set

Character Description

A-Z anda-z

Alphabetic characters. Upper- and lowercase areinterchangeable.

0-9 Numeric characters.

_ Underscore character.

. Period character

/ Slash character

Dash character

Space character

Object names can be up to 64 characters long and may consist of any combination of the

naming character set.

Ideally, the object name should be as descriptive as possible to help identify the object itrepresents. For example, an output point for an operating fan could be named FanStart/Stop.

Al ias Naming Convention

The alias is the object reference used in programs and functions. CyberStation createsthe alias version of the object name whenever a new object is created.

The alias name is saved to both the controller and the Continuum database.

The rules for the alias naming character set are as follows: The length of the alias name cannot exceed 16 characters

Must start with a letter, not a number

Alphanumeric characters

Period and underscores are the only punctuation characters allowed

No spaces

No reserved words, keywords or symbols (+, -, /, *, etc.)


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Attributes

An attribute is a characteristic of an object. An example attribute of an input object wouldbe its Value. All objects have attributes associated with them. In most cases, there areseveral attributes that describe an object. In BACnet, attributes are called properties.

How to View Attributes

The attributes for any object in CyberStation can be viewed by double clicking the objecticon in Continuum Explorer's viewing pane. The General tab of the object editor displayssome attributes for the selected object. An example is shown below:

The attributes that appear on the object's General tab varies depending on the selectedobject.



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Andover Plain EnglishLanguage Reference1-

11

Basic Attribute Listing

The following table provides a summary of the attributes appearing in the previousexample of a General tab.

Attribute Description

Description A description of the object

Value Describes the value of the object. Examples include: On or Off, Trueor False, Success or Failure, Set or NotSet.

Units Units of measurement, such as Degrees Fahrenheit or Centigradecan be assigned to temperature measurements.

State The state of an object that can exist in either an Enabled or Disabledstate.

Alarms Indicates the alarms that are active for an object.

Exported Indicates if the point is referenced by another controller. Thisattribute is read-only and is set by the Continuum System.

Accessibility

The attributes for all objects used in PE programs are accessible from any CyberStationworkstation. Most object attributes can be altered from the Command Line window of theworkstation. (Refer to Chapter 3 for a detailed description of how to view object attributesusing the Command Line.)

Appendix C contains a complete list of attributes for each object contained inCyberStation.


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Object Ownership

Object ownership is a term that describes the relationships between objects inCyberStation.

Objects in CyberStation are arranged in a hierarchy. The Root object is always the prime

object at the top of the hierarchy. Objects at the top of the hierarchy contain, or own theobjects below them. This ownership refers to the physical network connection betweendevices and to where the objects are stored within the network.

Hierarchical View of System Objects

Network and Controller views that are selectable on the CyberSTation workstation screenrepresent the hierarchy of the physical components in the system. For example, an inputpoint called Rm_Temp1, attached to a NetController named CX1 that is connected to anetwork called Bldg1, would be described using the following object hierarchy:

The network object(Bldg1) owns the attached device object(controller CX1) which ownsthe input point object(Rm_Temp1). These relationships are shown graphically below.

This hierarchical relationship is an important concept that is applied to network pathnames in PE programming statements.

Network

Bldg1

Root

Input Point

Rm_Temp1

Controller

CX1

Example of Object Hierarchical Relationships



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Network Paths

A path is the route you follow along the network to get from one object to another. Theobject could be any of the following:

Controller

Workstation

Printer

Point

Some other object on the network

The network path and object relationships are important concepts when creatingstatements in PE.

For example, based on the graphical representation in the previous section, if you needto take action when the room temperature in Building 1 (BLDG1) exceeds 74 degrees,the following statement might be entered into the program:

IF BLDG1 CX1 RM_TEMP1 > 74 THEN...

Network

In this statement, the correct path from the network and controller (BLDG1, CX1) to theinput point (RM_TEMP1) must be specified in order to run the program.

Andover Plain EnglishLanguage Reference1-

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2The Plain English IntegratedDevelopment Environment

This chapter provides an overview of the Plain English Integrated DevelopmentEnvironment (IDE) and explains how it enhances the production of writing and editingPlain English programs. The discussion in this chapter is not intended to be a completetutorial on the use of the IDE, but rather to present an overall picture of its componentsand to touch briefly on each of its features.

This chapter discusses the following topics:

Opening the Plain English IDE The IDE Assistant

Plain English IDE Features The IDE Watch Bar

The Menu Bar Docking and Floating

The Main and Find Toolbars Configuring a Plain English Program F

The Check Toolbar and the CommandLine

Using the Editor

rThe IDE Explore

The IDE Editor

Using the Plain English Wizard


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Opening the Plain Engl ish IDE

There are three ways to open the IDE when you wish to create a new program file:

From the System & Statusbutton on CyberStations main menu

From the Continuum Explorer

Selecting Programs Continuum PlainEnglish from the Windows Startmenu

These methods are described below.

From the CyberStation Main Menu

If you click the hot spot on the left-hand side of the ContinuumMain Menu, the System & Status menu page appears.

System & Status menu page

Click the hot spot to start the Plain English IDE.



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From the Continuum Explorer

From any view of the Continuum Explorer, right click the controller or workstation whereyou want the program to reside. Then select Newand InfinityProgramfor controller-based programs or simply Programfor workstation-resident programs from the popupmenus that appear. BACnet programs are created as Infinity programs.

Selecting a New Infinity Program

From the Start Menu

From the Windows explorer, click Start. Select Programs -> Continuum -> Plain

English.

Note: Continuum must be running.

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The following topics describe the different components of the Plain English IDE:

The Title Bar Indicates the directory path to the current PE program file.

The Menu Bar Provides a series of menus and options for creating and editing PEprogram files.

The Main Toolbar Provides shortcuts for the items in the Edit Menu.

The Find Toolbar - Provides a shortcut for locating specific words, symbols, orphrases in a PE program file

Check Toolbar Works in conjunction with the Assistant to compile programs andreport errors.

IDE Explorer Provides a graphical display of your system.


nglish

Watch Bar - Allows you to monitor your program's effect on other objects.

u changeprograms in the PE Editor, the Title bar will change to reflect the new path.

Editor Provides an area for users to write and edit programs.

Assistant - Provides additional support in the writing and editing of Plain Eprograms by supplying features that help to simplify the coding process.

Title Bar

The Title bar indicates the directory path to the current PE program file. If yo


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The Menu Bar

The menu bar provides seven dropdown menus within the IDE. The seven menus aredescribed in detail in the following sections.

File Menu

The File Menu offers the following options:

Option Description

New Opens a new program file.

Open Opens an existing program file.

Close Closes the current active program file.

Delete Deletes the current active program file.

Save Checks and saves the active program file.

Save As Checks and saves the active program file under a new name.

Save All Checks and saves all open program files.

Close All Closes all open program files.

Import Inserts the contents of a text file into the active program file.

Export Saves the active program file to a text file.

Configuration Displays the Infinity Program, or the Function Configuration Dialog.

Firing Order Displays and allows editing of the current firing order.

Print Prints the active program file.

Exit Exits the Plain English editor.



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Edit Menu

The Edit Menu offers the following options:

Option Description

Undo Reverts to the previous action.

Redo Performs the last action that was undone by Undo.Cut Removes selected text from the program and places it in

the Clipboard.

Copy Copies selected text from the program and places it inthe clipboard.

Paste Inserts contents of the clipboard at the cursor position.

Select All Selects the entire program.

Find From the cursor position, finds the next or previous instance ofspecified text.

Find Next From the cursor position, finds the next instance of the text for

which you last searched.

Find Previous From the cursor position, finds the previous instance of the text forwhich you last searched.

Replace Finds specified text, and replaces it with a different specified text.

Goto Places your cursor at the specified line number or line definition.

View Menu

The View Menu offers the following options:

Option Description

Toolbars When checked (), adds the selected toolbar to the IDE screen.When not checked, removes the selected toolbar from the IDEscreen. The toolbars are Main, Find, Check, Assistant, Explorer,Command Line andWatch.

Set Font Displays the Font dialog box, allowing you to change the font forthe active program file.

Refresh Checks and saves the active program file, and refreshesthe screen.

Folder View Changes the IDE Explorer to folder view. In this view, the Root andall folders appear in the navigation pane.

Network View Changes the IDE Explorer to network view. In this view, thenetwork you set up appears in the navigation pane.


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Build Menu

The Build Menu offers the following options:

Option Description

Check Compiles the currently active program file. Reports errors in theCheck page of the Assistant

Check All Compiles all open program files. Reports errors in the Check pageof the Assistant.

Stop Stops compiling.

Tools Menu

The Tools Menu offers the following options:

Option Description

Wizard Opens the Plain English Wizard.

Calculator Displays the Calculator.

Options Displays the Options dialog.

Window Menu

The Window Menu offers the following options:

Option Description

Cascade Displays program windows overlapping diagonally.

Tile Horizontally Displays program windows in equal horizontal portions ofthe editor.

Tile Vertically Displays program windows in equal vertical portions of the editor.

Arrange Icons This feature is not supported in this release

Note: A list of currently open windows appears at the bottom of the Window menu.Clicking any window in the list will make it the active window.

Help Menu

The Help Menu offers the following options:

Option Description

Help Topics Displays Plain English online help topics.

About IDE Displays the copyright and version number for the PE editor.


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The Main and Find Toolbars

The following displays and describes the items on the Main and Find Toolbars.

The Main Toolbar

The Main toolbar contains shortcuts to many of the items found in the Edit menu.

Main Toolbar Selections

Action Icon

Open a new program

Open an existing program

Save the currently active program

Save all open programs

Cut text

Copy text

Paste text

Undo the last action you performed

Redo the last action you performed

Find a particular word in the current program

Print the current program



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The Find Toolbar

The Find toolbar is a shortcut search tool. It contains an input field and buttons to helpyou look for specific words, symbols, and phrases in the program or function that you arewriting or editing.

If the Find toolbar is hidden, go to Toolbars in the View menu to add it.

Using the Find Toolbar

Step Action

1 Type the text that you want to find, or use the pull-down list to selectpreviously searched text.

2 To search from the cursor position to the end of the program,

click

3 To search from the cursor position to the beginning of the program,

click

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The Check Toolbar and Command Line

The following displays and defines the features that appear on the Check Toolbar and theCommand Line.

The Check ToolbarThe Check toolbar is used in conjunction with the Assistant to compile programs andreport errors. Each of the icon buttons appearing on the Check toolbar is listed below. Ifthe Check toolbar is hidden, go to Toolbarsin the View menu to add it.

IDE Check Toolbar Buttons

Button Action

Compiles the active program in the Editor

Complies all programs in the Editor

Stops compilation

Save the program and refreshes the windows

Displays the program Configuration dialog box

Starts the Plain English Wizard. (See "Using the Plain English

Wizard" in this chapter.)

Displays a pop-up calculator

The Command Line

The Command Line is where you enter and execute Plain English commands. If theCommand Line is hidden, go to Toolbarsin the View menu to add it. Its features include:

Browse Button opens a drop down explorer tree.

Command Line where you enter Plain English commands.

Response Linewhere messages and print requests appear.


Browse Command Line Response LineButton


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The IDE Explorer

The IDE Explorer is a small, more limited version of the Continuum Explorer. It helps younavigate through the folders and devices on your system to find and select objects to addto your programs. If the IDE Explorer is hidden, go to Toolbarsin the View menu to addit.

The basic parts of the IDE Explorer include:

Explorer Drop-Down List Box Displays the object tree of the current folder ordevice directory.

Class Drop-Down List Box Displays the classes of the folder or device objectselected from the Explorer Drop-Down List Box.

Back Up One Level Button Changes the Explorer Drop-Down List Box to the nexthigher directory.

Copy Objects Button Copies selected object on the Class Drop-Down List to the

IDE Assistant.


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Current Device

IDE Explorer Drop-Down List Box

Back UpOne LevelButton

IDE Explorer

Current Class

Class Drop-

Down List Box

Copy ObjectsButton

List of ObjectsMatchingSelected CurrentClass


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Popup Shortcut Menu

In addition to the above features, the IDE Explorer provides several options by means ofa popup shortcut menu, which is activated whenever, you right-click an object in the drop-down list box.

IDE Explorer Popup Shortcut Menu Features

Menu Item Action

Open Opens programs in the IDE. For other classes, opens the appropriatedialog box.

Edit Starts another IDE session for the selected program. For otherclasses, opens the appropriate application.

Put in Service Opens a dialog box to confirm the state of the objects attribute isEnabled [NOT SHOWN FOR INFINITYPROGRAM]

Take out ofService

Opens a dialog box to confirm the state of the objects attribute isDisabled [NOT SHOWN FOR INFINITYPROGRAM]

Enable Opens a dialog box to confirm the state of the programs attribute isEnabled [ONLY SHOWN FOR INFINITYPROGRAM]

Disable Opens a dialog box to confirm the state of the programs attribute isDisabled [ONLY SHOWN FOR INFINITYPROGRAM]

Send To Offers a selection of "Controller, Database, Text File or Printer".

Delete Deletes the selected object.

Rename Opens a dialog box for renaming the object.

Page Setup Opens a dialog box to select the page setup of the object to be

printed.Print Selected Opens a dialog box to select the printer.

Go To Offers a selection of Owner or Device.

Properties Opens the Properties dialog box.



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The IDE Assistant

The IDE Assistant provides additional support in the writing and editing of Plain Englishprograms. Six tabs located at the bottom of the Assistant window provide features thathelp to simplify the coding process. When selected, each tab becomes a separate pagein the Assistant window.

IDE Assistant Page Features

Menu Item Action

Objects Provides a temporary storage place for object names that you needin a program

Check Displays errors that occur when a program is saved or checked.

Keywords Lists all the Plain English language keywords that are not functions.

Functions Contains all the pre-written Plain English functions

Values Provides attribute values used by the system.

Favorites Provides a storage area for commonly used items such as keywords,statements, functions, objects and so on.

Selecting and Placing Objects

Double clicking items displayed within these pages automatically inserts them into theactive program Editor window. To place object names on the Objects page, locate themin the IDE Explorer and then drag them onto the page. Placing object names on the IDEexplorer is useful when writing programs because it includes the objects network path.This feature allows the user to double click the object as opposed to writing out thenetwork path manually.

From the Check page, double clicking a listed error places the cursor on the programinstruction in the Editor that caused the error.

IDE Assistant Window



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The IDE Watch Bar

The Watch Bar allows you to monitor your program's effect on other objects. Watchedobjects can be objects that the program refers to, or any object that is part of yourContinuum system.

For every object you add to the Watch Bar, you see the object name and its currentvalue. The Watch Bar is very helpful in tracking down errors in your program because itallows the user to constantly monitor the objects changes in value.

If the Watch Bar is hidden, go to Toolbarsin the View menu to add it

IDE Watch Bar

Rearranging IDE Toolbars and Windows

Many features within the IDE can be rearranged to suit your personal preference:

The Title Bar, Menu Bar, Main Window and Status Bar remain on your screen at alltimes.

You can display or hide the icon toolbars and other tool window components of theIDE.

The icon toolbars can also be dragged and dropped into different locations within theupper portion of the IDE.

The IDE Explorer, Command Line, Assistant and Watch Bar can be arranged inaccordance with docking and floating options described in the following paragraphs.


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Using the Editor

When the Editor window first appears, it is blank until you begin writing your program. Asyou enter your program, keep the following guidelines in mind:

A single program can have up to 400 physical lines.

A physical line can have up to 132 characters.

If a line must exceed 132 characters, enter a tilde (~) at the end to continue the line.

Do not use a tilde inside the quotation marks of a Print statement.

The following sections describe the different tools available to you when using the Editor.

Text Entry

On a Continuum CyberStation you can create your program by entering text with thekeyboard and using either the mouse or keystroke combinations to:

Move the cursor

Select text

Change and move text

The keystroke combinations to accomplish these tasks are described in the followingtable.

Moving the Curso

Editor K nationseystroke Combir

Key or Keys Action

Arrow ce in the direction of the arrowMoves the cursor one spa(left, right, up, or down).

CTRL right arrow Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next word.

CTRL left arrow d.Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous wor

Home on.Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line it is

End Moves the cursor to the end of the line it is on.

CTRL Home file.Moves the cursor to the beginning of the first line in the

CTRL End .Moves the cursor to the end of the last line in the file

Page Up Scrolls the text up the number of lines in a window.

Page Down Scrolls t number of lines in a window.he text down the

Selecting TextShift Arrow text one character at a time in the direction of theSelects

arrow.

Shift Home ts text from the cursor position to the beginning of theSelecline.

Shift End Selects text from the cursor position to the end of the line.


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Using the Text Editor continuedSelecting Text

Key or Keys Action

Shift CTRL right arrow Selects text from the cursor position to the beginning of thenext word.

Shift CTRL left arrow Selects text from the cursor position to the beginning of theprevious word.

Shift CTRL Home Selects text from the cursor position to the beginning of thefile.

Shift CTRL End Selects text from the cursor position to the end of the file.

Changing and Moving Text

Backspace Deletes text you have selected. Otherwise, deletes onecharacter to left of the cursor. If the cursor is at thebeginning of a line joins the line with the previous one.

CTRL F Opens the Find window.

CTRL H Opens the Replace window.

CTRL Insert Copies selected text and store it in a temporary storagearea. You can then put it somewhere else with Shift Insert.

Delete Deletes text you have selected. Otherwise, deletes onecharacter to the right of the cursor. If the cursor is at theend of a line connects the line to the next one.

Enter Ends a line and starts a new one.

Insert Toggles between two modes:

Inserting text into the current text

Typing over current text.

Shift Delete Cuts selected text and store it in a temporary storage area.You can then paste it with Shift Insert.

Shift Insert Puts or pastes text you last copied or cut at the cursorposition in the file. Replaces any selected text with text youlast cut or copied from the file.

The Editor Shortcut Menu

You can also edit text with selections from the Edit drop-down box on the Menu bar oryou can use the editor shortcut menu. To use the shortcut menu, highlight the desiredtext and press the right mouse button.

Editor Shortcut Menu


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Finding Text

The IDE Editor provides a Find tool for locating specific words, symbols and phraseswhenever the Editor window is activated.

To use the Find tool, place the cursor at the place in the program where you want tobegin searching for text and press the Ctrl-F key or click Editin the Editor toolbar andthen select Find.

Find Dialog Box

Find Dialog Box Features

Menu Item Action

Find What Enter the text to search forcan be up to 132 characters includingspaces.

Match wholeword only

Only finds the selected word and rejects other words that wouldcontain it (if "one" is the selected word, it would reject "done", "bone","alone", and so on).

Match case Will match the case of the selected word( if "One" is selected it willignore "one")

Direction Up searches from the cursor position to the beginning of theprogram. Down searches from the cursor position to the end of theprogram.

Find Next Finds the next instance of the word/s listed in the "Find What"column.



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Replacing Text

To find and replace text in a program, you use the IDE Editor's Replace tool. To activateit, place the cursor where you want to begin searching in the program and click Editinthe Editor toolbar and then select Replaceto bring up the Replace dialog box.

Replace Dialog Box

Replace Dialog Box Features

Menu Item Action

Find What Enter the text to search forcan be up to 132 characters includingspaces.

Replace with Enter the text you want to replace the found text with.

Match wholeword only

Only finds the selected word and rejects other words that wouldcontain it (if "one" is the selected word, it would reject "done", "bone","alone", and so on).

Match case Will match the case of the selected word( if "One" is selected it will

ignore "one")

Replace Replaces the first instance of the found text.

Find Next Replaces the found text when it is clicked and then the Replacebutton is clicked.

Replace All Replaces all instances of the found text.


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Going to a Labeled Program Line

To locate a labeled line in any program, you can use the Goto command. SelectEditGotofrom the IDE menu bar to bring up the Go To dialog box. Then type in thedesired line label in the Linetext box and click the Go Tobutton.

Go To Dialog Box

Importing Programs

You can import an external program (located on a floppy disk or in a different directory)into an existing program in the Editor. To do this, perform the following steps.

Importing a Program File

Step Action

1Click at the point in the existing program where you want to insert theexternal program.

2 A flashing cursor will appear at that point.

3 Open the File menu from the main menu bar.

4 Select Importfrom the File menu.

5 The IDE File Import dialog box appears.


File Import Dialog Box


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Exporting a Program File continued

Step Action

5Use the Look inpull down list box to locate the drive or directory toexport to.

6 Type in the name of the file in the File name text box.

7 Click the Savebutton to copy the program to the selected location.

Note: If the existing program in the Editor has errors and you don't have time to correctthem, exporting the file is a good way to save the program.

Saving the Program

Once you have finished writing your program you need to save it, but before you do,make sure the Assistant is displayed on your screen.

To save a program file, click Savein the File menu, or click the button in the MainToolbar.

The IDE automatically checks the file for errors before saving. If errors are found, theCheck tab on the Assistant becomes active and lists the errors. Double click any errorlisted in the Assistant. This will place the cursor on the program instruction in the Editorthat caused it.

Note: The IDE will not let you save the program file, until you fix all the errors.

If you want to postpone fixing the errors in your program until a later time, you can use

the Export feature of the Editor to place it in a temporary file.

When all the errors have been corrected, the Checkpage of the Assistant will display thefollowing message.

The Save File Message



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Opening the Program

To reopen the program from the IDE, open the IDE Explorer and locate the subjectprogram file. Double click the file symbol or hold down the right mouse button and selectOpen. This will cause an Editor window containing the selected program to appear in theIDE Main Window.

Running the Program from the Command LineYou can start your program by entering the Run keyword followed by the program nameinto the Command Line and then pressing the RETURN or Enter key (depending on thekeyboard). Make sure that the directory path to the program file, appearing in theCommand Line title bar, is correct.

Starting the Program from the Command Line

In order for the program to run, its State attribute must already be Enabled. (See"Configuring the Program File" in this chapter)

The system then does the following:

Sets the programs Status attribute to Active.

Sets the programs CurrentLine attribute to its first line.

Updates the program's LineStartTime to the time the Scan starts. (See Chapter 3 fordetails on the Scanning process.)


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Monitoring the Program File Status

You can monitor the program file status by viewing the Run Time status page.

To access that page, click the Configuration icon in the Check toolbar or selectConfigurationfrom the File menu. When the Configuration dialog box appears, click theRun Timetab to activate the file status window.

The Run Time File Status Window

You cannot change any of the information in this window. The controller automaticallyupdates it. The Table on the following page explains the Run Time Page features



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Run Time Window Features

Item Description

Last Changed Shows the date and time the program was last altered.

Current Line Start Displays the date and time the current line began executing.

File Size Displays the number of characters (bytes) in the file (1024 bytesequal 1KB). The size of the file also includes basics about the

file, such as its name, flowtype, and other attribute settings thatthe controller stores.

Program Status Shows whether the program isActive orInactive.

Current Line Displays the name or number of the currently active line of theprogram. No current line shows if you have not labeled anyprogram lines.

Error Gives the explanation of the last runtime error that occurredwhen running this program.

TD Time in days that a program has been at the specified line.

TH Time in hours that a program has been at the specified line.

TM Time in minutes that a program has been at the specified line.

TS Time in seconds that a program has been at the specified line.

Stopping the Program

You can stop the program from the Command Line by entering the Stop keywordfollowed by the program name. This causes the program to stop by setting the Statusattribute to Inactive.

The program will stop itself if it contains the Stop keyword with no name after it in any of

its statements and executes it.


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The Wizard File Selection Menu

The File Selection menu page shown below offers a variety of different types of pre-written programs and functions from which to choose. The tabs along the top of themenu's window identify different types of programs. Clicking a tab displays the programsavailable of that type. To find information about a particular program, click its icon. Theprograms full name appears below the bottom left-hand corner of the window and a brief

description of what the program does appears in the Description text box.

PE Wizard File Selection Menu

Selecting and Configuring a Wizard Program

To select a program, click its icon and then click the Next >button. This displays the FileConfiguration dialog box as shown on the next page. The selections on this dialog boxare the same as the standard Configuration dialog box except for one additionalcheckbox:

Yes, include comments

checking this box means you want to leave the pre-writtenprogram comments in the program. Not checking this box means you want thecomments stripped out.


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PE Wizard File Configuration Dialog Box

Note: If you select a Function from the File Selection menu, the State, Flow Type andAutostart select ion w i

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