Accurately query enable/disable status of ClearSCADA logic object

[rlao]

Hi all,

This SE FAQ article details two ways of enabling/disabling a ClearSCADA object: either by setting it in/out of service or by invoking the EnableExecution/DisableExecution method.

It is easy to track out of service logic by querying the InService property. However, I cannot find a corresponding OPC property to easily track if a logic object has its execution disabled but still in service.

The best way I have found so far is querying the Foreground property and checking if it matches the System Colour for 'Program Disabled' that has been set in the server settings. However, it is pretty clunky and not exactly robust.

Is there a better and more direct way to do this?

[AndrewScott · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately there isn't currently a database field for the logic execution enabled flag. You might want to propose adding this in the "Geo SCADA Expert Ideas" forum.

It is however shown in the Execution attribute in the view dialog for an individual logic program.

[BevanWeiss]

I would personally just avoid using the DisableExecution/EnableExecution methods.

The InService property is common across almost all 'active' object types, and hence is much more understood, and as you note, it's much easier to identify via programmatic inspection (just a value on a property).

In your SCADA management/control documentation, just have 'Thou shalt not use the DisableExecution method to inhibit Logic execution!' perhaps with an additional note that use of DisableExecution will not prevent execution (of the offender), and such execution will be summary but slow...

One of the problems of platforms like Geo SCADA Expert is that there are many different ways to do 'something', and often the methods will not be equally 'good'.  It's important to have standards and guidelines in place (within an organisation) to avoid the use of bad ways of doing things.

[rlao]

Thanks Andrew, I'll post it there.

[rlao]

Hi Bevan,

Yes I agree, I always rely on the InService property when disabling/enabling scripts and am trying to enforce this where possible. However, the system I'm working on is rather old and use of DisableExecution has been widespread over the years. I want to be able to track that when auditing SCADA logic. Looking at the Foreground property works well enough at the moment in absence of a more direct method of querying this.