Understanding Attribute State

At any given time an Attribute can be in one of several states. State is dependent upon a range of factors including:

  • The value associated with the Attribute.
  • The pre-defined permissible operating range/threshold appropriate to the specification of the Attribute.
  • The workflow that the Attribute is currently involved in.
  • The context of the overall control system.

State information is presented in the user interface as a symbol displayed to the left of the Attribute name, with the following states represented:

Normal State

Data associated with the Attribute is within an acceptable operating theshold or range. For a Parameter Attribute this also means the value has been successfully put onto the underlying server.

../_images/information_icon.png

Processing State

Data has been submitted to the underlying server or a request has been made to retrieve information from the underlying server. In both cases a process has been triggered and a response is a awaited.

GET IMAGE

Locally Edited State

Data within the user interface has been changed but not yet put to the underlying server. Consequently the local edit will have no effect on execution of the system and will not be saved as part of the Design.

../_images/locally_edited_icon.png

Update Error State

The Attribute value put to the underlying server has not been accepted. This typically occurs because the value has failed the validation test associated with the Attibute as defined in its Block specification.

GET IMAGE

Warning State

An issue has been detected and requires investigation. This state is typically triggered when an Input Attribute, Output Attribute or Readback Attribute data is deemed to be outside normal operating parameters but is still considered acceptable.

../_images/warning_icon.png

Error State

An issue has been detected resulting in an error being reported by the underlying server. This state is typically triggered when Input Attribute, Output Attribute or Readback Attribute data is deemed to be outside acceptable operating conditions and immediate action is recommended.

../_images/error_icon.png

Invalid State

The overall Block context has changed since the user interface was last accessed. Data displayed may no longer be accurate or consistent with the current design

../_images/disconnected_icon.png

Disconnected State

Communication with the Block hosting the Attribute has been lost by the underlying server. Immediate investigation is recommended.

GET IMAGE

Note

Operating ranges and threshold values are not specified directly within the user interface but instead via configuration of individual Attributes in the underlying Block Specification. These settings are then reflected into the User Interface. See specific Block documentation for additional information.

Presenting Status Information

Within Block Information Panels (presented in either the left-hand or right-hand panels) status information is displayed to the left of each Attribute via the corresponding state icon (see table above).

When presenting historical Attribute value data via the Attribute value table view corresponding icons are displayed against each row of data.

When presenting historical Attribute value data via the Attribute Chart view the line colour denotes the alarm state.