The "-ta" parameter allows third-party systems, such as an order management system, to restrict the test plan selection list for users. It effectively acts as a pre-filter for selecting test plans (data sets) from the Q-DAS value database.
The procella launch, the data set identification and the specification of additional fields are all carried out automatically.
- procella is launched by the external system (third-party system) by using defined launch
- The parts information (K-fields 1001 to 1999) specified in the INI file serves as filter criteria in the "Part selection database" dialogue box, enabling users to find the required test plan (data set) more quickly.
- The specified additional data fields (K00xx) are used as the default content for newly recorded values.
Table of Contents
How procella interacts with the third-party system
| 1 | A file in INI format containing required information is created by the external system. This typically includes details about the part and additional data. |
| 2 | The external system launches procella or O-QIS procella by using predefined parameters, including the specified location of the self-generated INI transfer file. To initialise procella, the system configuration settings and the content of the INI file are used. In procella, the "Part selection database" dialogue box opens, displaying the contents according to the initialisation. |
| 3 | Once procella has been successfully launched and initialised, the INI transfer file will either be deleted or moved to the specified directory. A new INI transfer file is required for each procella launch. |
Recommended system configuration
Procella launching options
How procella application behaves when it is already running can be configured in the procella settings. In a default installation, "Do not allow multiple start" is set with the additional option "Block products". This means that each product can be launched once, but different products, e.g., qs-STAT and solara.MP, can be launched in parallel.
<File> | <Configurations> | <additional settings> | <System configuration intern> | <Programme>
Note: Selecting one of the multiple launch options means that an additional licence will be in use each time a procella application is launched from an external system.
Note: When using the "-ta" launch parameter, it is recommended to select the "Switch to running programme" option.
This has the following effect: if the procella application is already running and a test plan (data set) is open when procella is launched from an external system, the data set will be closed. The "Part selection database" dialogue will then open according to the specifications in the INI transfer file.
Options for working with additional data fields
The additional data field required for database storage needs to be enabled.
<File> | <Configurations> | <Databases> | <Options> | <Administration> | <Additional data fields>
At least, the additional data fields used in the transfer INI file require them to be enabled in the "Part selection database" dialogue box. Additionally, it is possible to specify whether users are permitted to modify additional data fields that are automatically filled in. To customise the "Part selection database" dialogue box, click on the "Configure" button.
Text coding standards
The use of Q-DAS parameters requires awareness of the potential for variation in coding standards across different applications. For example, Word and the Windows "Run" use different coding standards. Using different text encodings when working with the clipboard (e.g. [CTRL+C] and [CTRL+V]) may cause problems when executing the parameters. As an alternative, the "/" notation can be used, e.g. "/ta".
User access rights
To ensure a smooth process, the appropriate access rights need to be defined for the INI transfer file storage directory. These rights should include the ability to create, modify and delete files.
Parameter for default and individual paths
There are two ways to transfer the INI file.
Using default paths
If the "-ta" parameter is used without any additional specifications, the application expects to find a file called "Partselect.ini" in the product's Temp directory. For example:
%TEMP%\<Q-DAS Version>\<PLANT>\procella
%TEMP%\<Q-DAS Version>\<PLANT>\O-QIS
Using individual paths
Specifying additional information for the parameter (-ta=<INI path and name>) allows alternative directories and INI file names to be used.
In order to initiate automated data set selection via an external system, the following requires specification:
- The path to the application including the "exe" file extension
\\<UNC path of server provisioning>\Q-DAS\Share\<PLANT>\<architecture>\<major version>\<minor version>\qs_STAT.exe - When launching Q-DAS products within a specific module, it is also recommended to specify the launch parameters "-k=" for the required module
-k=<Module abbreviation> - The parameters and path for the product INI file
-I=\\<UNC path of server provisioning>\Q-DAS\Share\INI\<PLANT>\<Product INI file> - The launch parameter "-ta=" and include the path to the INI transfer file. When using custom paths, the launch parameter must also be supplemented with "=" followed by the INI transfer file path.
-ta=<Path to the INI transfer file>
The following examples demonstrate the launch parameters for procella and O-QIS procella.
procella via default path. The "Partselect.ini" file located in the temporary product folder will be used.
..\qs_STAT_V14.EXE -I=..\V14_procella.INI -ta
O-QIS procella via default path. The “Partselect.ini” file located in the temporary product folder will be used.
..\qs_STAT_V14.EXE -k=pv -I=..\V14_O-QIS.INI -ta
procella via individual path. An individual file named 'OwnPartSelect.ini' will be used.
..\qs_STAT_V14.EXE -I=..\V14_procella.INI -ta=..\OwnPartSelect.ini
O-QIS procella via individual path. An individual file named 'OwnPartSelect.ini' will be used.
..\qs_STAT_V14.EXE -k=pv -I=..\V14_O-QIS.INI -ta=..\OwnPartSelect.ini
Launch parameters for minor release update
The application path is part of the launch parameter. It needs to be modified when switching to a different Q-DAS version, such as a major or minor upgrade.
The following example shows three minor versions of major version 14:
The path of the Q-DAS application in the launch parameter needs to be specified according to the required version.
<Path to the Q-DAS application> -I=<Path to the Q-DAS product INI file>
Structure of the INI transfer file
The INI file consists of identification sections for parts (1) and sections that specify the contents for additional data fields (2).
Part identification (1)
Part identification is carried out using the k-fields at part level. For each part k-field to be used, a "PartKey" subsection containing a consecutive number is required. Each "PartKey" subsection requires a k-field number (KField=) and the relevant content (KFieldContent=). All "PartKey" subsections are used for pre-filtering and, therefore, part identification in the "Part selection database" dialogue box.
Autofill additional data fields (2)
For each additional data field to be used, a "ValueKey" subsection containing a consecutive number is required. Each "ValueKey" subsection requires a k-field number (KField=) and the relevant content (KFieldContent=). Wildcards or partial strings can be used.
Note: Up to version 14.0.3.1, only INI transfer files encoded in ANSI could be processed. Versions 14.0.3.2 and higher also accept Unicode-encoded INI transfer files.
Example
Here, the external system creates an INI transfer file named "Part_Shaft.INI" and saves it in the "C:\Q-DAS\Part_Selection" folder. The content of the INI transfer file is used to restrict the selection to the part number "4711" and the part description "Shaft". In addition, the additional data fields "order no." (K0053) and the machine catalogue entry (K0010) should be filled in automatically.
Content of the INI transfer file created by the external system:
The external system launches O-QIS in the procella module with the following parameters:
..\qs_STAT_V14.EXE -k=pv -I=..\V14_O-QIS.INI -ta=C:\Q-DAS\Part_Selection\Part_Shaft.INI
The "Part selection database" dialogue box opens, listing only data sets from the value database containing the part number "4711" and the part description "Shaft". The "Machine Number" and "Order" additional data fields are pre-filled.