RE: Next generation EPICS display manager

[Glenn Jackson <Glenn.Jackson@synchrotron.org.au>]

At the Australian Synchrotron, we have developed an EPICS Channel Access (CA)/Qt
Framework written entirely in C++.  This allows us to use the Qt Framework to
talk to EPICS directly.

It is available on SourceForge here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/epicsqt/

This project is a work in progress and we are interested in collaboration with
other labs.

>From a code developers point of view, the framework provides a Qt based interface
to EPICS data using signals, slots and Qt data types, and a set of EPICS aware
widgets that use this interface if needed.

>From a GUI designers point of view, the framework allows the creation of EPICS
GUI systems using only Qt Designer and our GUI application, with no compilation
required.

The framework hierarchy consists of:

* A class providing C++ access to the CA library.
  Provides convenient C++ access to the CA library.

* A Qt based class providing Qt based access to CA.
  Hides CA specific functionality. Adds Qt functionality such as signals and slots.

* A set of classes providing data type independent access.
  Hides EPICS data types, providing read and write conversions where required.

* A set EPICS aware widgets.
  Implements Qt based widgets that provide access to EPICS data.

* A set of EPICS aware graphical Qt plug-ins.
  Adds Qt plug-in interfaces to EPICS aware widgets.

* GUI support widgets and applications.
  Implements Qt based widgets that support control system GUIs. These widgets
  to not access the CA library.


________________________________________
From: tech-talk-bounces@aps.anl.gov [tech-talk-bounces@aps.anl.gov] On Behalf Of Dalesio, Leo [dalesio@bnl.gov]
Sent: Saturday, 7 November 2009 2:03 AM
To: Elder Matias; tom.cobb@diamond.ac.uk; tech-talk@aps.anl.gov
Cc: andy.starritt@synchrotron.vic.gov.au; Andrew Rhyder; mkpark@nfri.re.kr; Glen Wright
Subject: RE: Next generation EPICS display manager

At NSLS II, we have recently evaluated the work going on with CSS. We looked over the DESY and ORNL developed tools.
We have found the tools nicely integrated. We find the ability to pass process variable names between applications very useful. It is our plan to develop an advanced directory service and displays to support arrays of channels in the CSS environment.
CSS and Synoptic Displays. There are currently two efforts. They have very different primary goals. The SNS version has a primary need to replace their EDM screens. The DESY version has a primary need to integrate three different control systems. These are both under very active development. As we do not need this for over 1 year, we will sit it out and choose one when the time comes. We believe that both will be viable but may continue to reflect these two different goals. On the other hand, they may converge as they go on. The latest version of both were found reliable. They both have reasonable performance.
The primary interest in this development is the ability to inter-operate between the tools.
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