Defining Output Operation Modes

You can define how data types are appended to, or removed from, the Output buffer by selecting a mode through the General property page of the Output Properties window. The mode determines the type of parameter and whether an argument is created, as well as the property pages and edit boxes available for that operation.

The following table summarizes how modes affect I/O Table operations:

 

Mode

Parameters
 Created

Argument

Type

Comments

When to Use

Const
String

No

escape sequence string within quotes or character string

String

Escape Sequence String

Data is known string and fixed.

Parameter
to ASCII

Yes

parameter name

String, Numeric

For string, specify maximum size.

For numeric, select a format mask used to convert the parameter to ASCII.

Device receives data in ASCII format.

Parameter
 to Binary

Yes

parameter name

Any

Using the size of operation gives a size of one byte. For example, a Word type in this mode outputs the value 257 in hex using two bytes. (byte1=01, byte2=10)

Device receives data in binary format.

Parameter
 to
Discrete
String

Yes

parameter name

Numeric

Argument represents one of several strings listed in the Discrete properties tab.

One of several known strings is output. The output string depends on one number.

From File

Yes

parameter name

String
(file name)

Specify the maximum amount of data to send from the file. Data beyond the size are not sent.

Data is from a file.