Using Formulas

Formulas are used for calculating values and statuses of input channels and calculating values of commands. Formulas processing is performed by the Server application.

Formulas are contained by the Input channels and Output channels tables of the configuration database. To enable the formula, tick the appropriate checkbox in the Formula used column. The Formulas table stores additional functions and data structures which can be used in formulas for input and output channels.

The general rules of using formulas:

  1. Formulas use the expressions syntax of C# language. Many of Microsoft .NET classes are accessible, for example, Math and DateTime classes.
  2. New constants, fields, properties and methods can be added and used in formulas.
  3. If at least one formula contains an error, Server operation is impossible. Information about errors in formulas is written in the Server application log.

The rules of using formulas for input channels:

  1. For channels of types Discrete and Real calculation starts when the channels data are received by Server. Use these channel types if formula does not refer to data of other channels.
  2. For channels of types Calculated * and Switching counter calculations are performed permanent and ordered by channel numbers. A formula of a calculated channel usually refers to data of other channels.
  3. For channels of types Minute * and Hourly * calculation starts periodically once per minute or once per hour. Use these channel types to create accumulated values, for example, energy consumption or operating time.
  4. For channels of types Discrete and Real statuses of the channels after calculating are equal to the statuses of these channels received by Server if status calculation does not specified explicitly.
  5. For channels of the other types the statuses set to Defined if status calculation does not specified explicitly.
  6. An input channel formula that does not contain ";" (semicolon) symbol calculates the input channel value only.
  7. If an input channel formula contains ";", the formula calculates the input channel value and status. The first part before semicolon is a formula for value calculation and the second part after semicolon calculates status.

The rules of using formulas for output channels:

  1. Formulas are processed for output channels having Standard and Binary command types.
  2. A formula of an output channel defines command value calculation for a standard command and defines command data calculation for a binary command.

The variables accessible in formulas:

Variable Value Type Description
CnlVal, Cnl double The input channel value transmitted to Server before calculation
CnlStat int The input channel status transmitted to Server before calculation
CmdVal, Cmd double The command value transmitted to Server before calculation
CmdData byte[] The command data transmitted to Server before calculation
CnlNum int The channel number for which the formula is calculated
E double The natural logarithmic base, specified by the constant, e
PI double The ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, specified by the constant, π

The functions accessible in formulas:

Fucntion Value Type Description
N(n) int Returns the specified channel number for updating numbers on cloning
Val() double Gets the current value of the formula channel
Val(n) double Gets the current value of the channel n
SetVal(n, val) double Sets the current value of the channel n
Stat() int Gets the current status of the formula channel
Stat(n) int Gets the current status of the channel n
SetStat(n, stat) int Sets the current status of the channel n
SetData(n, val, stat) double Sets the current value and status of the channel n
Abs(x) double Calculates the absolute value of a number
Sin(x) double Calculates the sine of the specified angle
Cos(x) double Calculates the cosine of the specified angle
Tan(x) double Calculates the tangent of the specified angle
Exp(x) double Calculates e raised to the specified power
Ln(x), Log(x) double Calculates the natural (base e) logarithm of a specified number
Sqr(x) double Calculates the square of a specified number
Sqrt(x) double Calculates the square root of a specified number