Data Solutions always write software which is intended to be as portable as possible. The following rules are used :-

1. Use of loops eliminate typing errors and make configuration easier.
2. The software follows the classical function structure where possible.
3. The software is object orientated.
4. The software is a classic three level system where the levels are as follows:

Level 1 – Hardware
Level 2 – Software Driver Routines
Level 3 – Software Core Application

Levels 2 and 3 can be thought of as a planet representing the core software and satellites representing the driver routines.

Classical Function Structure
There are two classical rules for function design :-

(1) Functions should only ever have one entry point and one exit point

The software adopts this rule where practicable, however, for the reasons of saving time, if a function contains various tests then it is imperative that the function exits as soon as that test is satisfied.

(2) Test the most likely outcome first.

Data Solutions software always adopts this rule.

Object Orientated Approach
When designing the software to control a system, we divide the system into individual objects placed into one of several groups. Each item within the same group is treated exactly the same from a controls perspective and therefore we can rely upon standard controls modules for each group type.
Standard groups might be a conveyor, a pump or a manual control panel.

The main part of the software need only concern itself with alarms and status bits reported by each of the groups, thus keeping on-site commissioning to a minimum and ensuring that software modules are as portable as possible.