Re: Q: Are any tools using gui_group() properties?

[Rolf Keitel <rolf@triumf.ca>]

Hi Ralph,

I assume you are alluding to the record field property "promptgroup" which can take a set of "gui_group" values according to the Application Developer's guide.

Our tdct tool  (http://isacwserv.triumf.ca/epics/tdct/), the fully Capfast-compatible database configuration tool relies on promptgroup:

• tdct uses the existence of the promptgroup property for a field in the record's dbd definition as an indication that the field can be configured by tdct.
• tdct does *not yet* use the value of the promptgroup property, as these seem to be assigned somewhat arbitrarily.

Here at TRIUMF, we would be extremely vulnerable to dbd-dbd-changes which are not fully backward-compatible for the following reason:

From the outset we have designed our IOC databases making extensive use of the Capfast (and now tdct) hierarchical capabilities. We use several layers of hierarchy of re-usable components to build up our device functionality. As one draw-back of this approach, we cannot package a specific IOC database with a specific dbd file. Our components show up in every IOC across EPICS releases.  For example, we still maintain some 3.13 legacy IOCs.
I assume several other labs who use Capfast or migrated from Capfast to tdct are in the same boat.

HTH - rolf -

On 3/8/2016 12:07 AM, Ralph Lange wrote:

Dear All,

Before seriously considering a redesign of the gui_group() properties in record definitions (intended as hints to DB configuration tools to provide a comprehensively grouped view of a record's fields), an important question:

    Are there any tools or mechanisms in use (other than VDCT) that use the gui_group() properties and might be broken?

Please point out any usage of this feature. (In case you know, add the way it is used: discovered from DBD file, using the header file from base, hard coded, ...)

Thanks a lot,
~Ralph

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