Buffered inputs

Input controls can save the user input until it is confirmed or discarded.

The input controls »EASY UI Designer« support buffered inputs. An input or operation of the control does not immediately lead to a write job for the connected process variable. Instead, the entered value is buffered in the control element and only sent to the variable by the control element following an additional command or an operating action. Only then does this trigger a write request with the value to the PLC. This functionality is helpful if a collection of data is to be entered by the operator. Once the input is complete, all data should be checked again. This can be a visual check by the operator or a second operator. However, it can also be the call of a programmed test routine that checks all entries for consistency. The data should only be transferred to the PLC in the block once it has been released. This functionality is often used in dialogues where all entries are accepted in the block when the OK button is pressed or all entries are discarded when the Cancel button is pressed.

The input buffer can be configured for a control element using the following properties from the "Variable" category:

AbortOnEsc

Specifies that the input is reset to the previous value when the escape key is pressed.

LostKeyboardFocusBehaviour

Defines how the control reacts when it loses focus, e.g. when the user clicks outside the control.

• RestoreValue

  Specifies that the previous value is restored in the control.

• WriteInput

  Specifies that the entered value is written to the process variable.

• KeepEditing

  Specifies that the entered value remains in the input field but is not written to the process variable.

SelectOnFocus

Specifies that setting the focus on the control (i.e. when the user taps or clicks on the control) highlights the current input in the control.

WriteOnReturn

For input controls, this value determines how a user input is to be handled:

• (true)

• A user input is written to the process variable when the Enter/Return key is pressed.

• (false)

• A user input must either be discarded by programming or transferred to the process variable.

Affects these controls:

DateTimeVarIn, NumericVarIn, TextVarIn