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<== Date ==> <== Thread ==>
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Is the Sequencer and SNL still widely used?
From: "Pearson, Matthew via Tech-talk" <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov>
To: Peter Milne <peter.milne at d-tacq.com>
Cc: "tech-talk at aps.anl.gov" <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov>
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2023 18:06:01 +0000

My goto solution for simple sequencing is the sseq record. I use that for homing routines, motor sequencing, simple logic sequencing, etc. Then revert to SNL for complex sequencing that either requires lots of steps, lots of PVs, complex error handling, access to C functions, etc.

 

Although there are more options these days for integrating Python into a normal IOC, and it’s likely some of our existing applications could have been implemented in Python with less effort. However, unless you need Python specific features, or unless the implementation will be significantly easier in Python, I see the Python/SNL choice being determined more by developer preference or site standard practice.

 

In general, at least for sequencing, I would prefer using SNL to compile a library that I can link to rather than embedding a Python interpreter, particularly for important applications that are expected to be around for decades.

 

Although, moving away from the sequencing discussion, we do use Python a lot at the SNS, particularly for applications that need things like numpy or scipy, and for experiment-specific applications that tend to be easier to implement in Python.

 

Cheers,

Matt

 

 

From: Peter Milne <peter.milne at d-tacq.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2023 1:09 PM
To: Pearson, Matthew <pearsonmr at ornl.gov>
Cc: tech-talk at aps.anl.gov
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Is the Sequencer and SNL still widely used?

 

+1 for the sequencer and SNL, we use it a LOT in our embedded system. What's the alternative?. A python program seems rather .. heavy compared to a thread inside the IOC.

 

Thanks


Peter

 

 

On Thu, 13 Apr 2023 at 17:56, Pearson, Matthew via Tech-talk <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov> wrote:

Same at the SNS. We use it for many types of complex sequencing applications. It’s a major part of our beamline control systems.  

 

Cheers,

Matt

 

From: Tech-talk <tech-talk-bounces at aps.anl.gov> On Behalf Of Oleg Makarov via Tech-talk
Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2023 12:48 PM
To: tech-talk at aps.anl.gov
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Is the Sequencer and SNL still widely used?

 

yes at the APS the EPICS Sequencer and its State Notation Language still in use.

Regards, Oleg

On 4/13/2023 11:36 AM, Murray, Doug via Tech-talk wrote:

At a recent meeting at SLAC, it was suggested that the EPICS Sequencer and its State Notation Language has become obsolete.  Are any sites other than SLAC still using this?  I assume so, but please let me know directly if your organization is using it, and I can summarize later.

 

cheers

-doug

 


 

--

Peter Milne, Director of Sales

www.d-tacq.com

Replies:
Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Is the Sequencer and SNL still widely used? Maren Purves via Tech-talk
References:
Is the Sequencer and SNL still widely used? Murray, Doug via Tech-talk
Re: Is the Sequencer and SNL still widely used? Oleg Makarov via Tech-talk
RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Is the Sequencer and SNL still widely used? Pearson, Matthew via Tech-talk
Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Is the Sequencer and SNL still widely used? Peter Milne via Tech-talk
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