Import Routine Considerations

There are controller-wide settings for execution of Sequential Function Charts:
  • Execution Control: current active step only, or execute until False
  • Restart Position: most recent step or initial step
  • Last Scan of Active Steps: Automatic Reset, Programmatic Reset, or Don't Scan
When you export a Sequential Function Chart routine from one project and import it into another project with different Sequential Function Chart execution settings, the functionality of the routine could change dramatically. For example, a change in the Last Scan setting could leave physical outputs in an undesired state, resulting in unexpected motion. Be aware of the project settings for SFC execution and examine your SFC routines carefully to be sure that the controller behavior will be as you expect.
Routine Import Considerations
The import process for Routine declarations follows this behavior:
Configuration
Behavior
Import Name
Displays the name of the component as read from the import file.
An import name does not display for any routines that exist in the collection in the project but not in the collection in the import content.
Operation
Valid Operation choices are:
  • Use Existing - does not import the routine, existing routine in project is used.
  • Overwrite - replaces the routine in the project with the import routine.
  • Create - creates a new routine in the project.
  • Discard - does not import the routine, but does import any referenced components according to their operation configurations
Final Name
You can select from existing routine names or type in a new unused name. Selecting a different routine name changes the references in the imported logic to use the new name.
If the routine in the import file is source-protected, the Final Name field is read-only.
You can only select from existing routines that are the same type as the routine in the import file.
Description
Standard Description behavior.
If the routine in the import file is source-protected, the Description field is read-only.
Type
The type is read only and displays the routine type. It displays the attribute for the import component if the operation is overwrite, create or discard and displays the attribute for the component in the project if the operation is use existing.
In Program
In Phase
This field is read only and displays the name of the program or equipment phase into which to import the routine.
Number of Sheets (Function Block Diagram)
Number of Rungs (Ladder Diagram)
Number of Steps (Sequential Function Chart)
Number of Lines (Structured Text)
This field is read only and it displays the appropriate attribute for the routine. If the routine is source-protected, this field displays Source Not Available.
Routine Definitions
When importing a Program or Equipment Phase, the routine definitions follow these import processes:
Configuration
Behavior
Import Name
The Import Name is read only and displays the name of the routine contained in the import file.
For cases where the routine exists in the project but not in the import content, the Final Name is blank.
Operation
The Operation column is always read-only and its contents are dependent on the operation of the Program or Equipment Phase being imported as follows:
  • Routines that exist in the import file but not in the project have an operation of create, if the operation of the Program or Phase is create or overwrite. They have an operation of discard if the operation of the Program/Phase is discard or use existing.
  • Routines that exist in the project but not in the import file have an operation of delete if the operation of the Program or Phase is overwrite. They have an operation of use existing if the operation of the Program or Phase is use existing or discard.
  • Routines that exist in both the import file and also in the project have an operation of use existing if the operation of the Program or Phase is use existing. They have an operation of overwrite if the operation of the Program or Phase is overwrite.
Final Name
The Final Name is read only. If the operation is discard, Final Name is blank. Otherwise, Final Name displays the same content as the Import Name field.
For cases where the routine exists in the project but not in the import content (blank Import Name), Final Name displays the name of the routine contained in the project.
Type
The Type is read only and displays the type of routine from the import file.
Routine Import Considerations
The import process for Routine declarations follows this behavior:
Configuration
Behavior
Import Name
Displays the name of the component as read from the import file.
An import name does not display for any routines that exist in the project but not in the import content.
Operation
Valid Operation choices are:
  • Use Existing
  • Overwrite
  • Create
  • Discard
Final Name
If the routine in the import file is source-protected, the Final Name field is read-only.
You can only select from existing routines that are the same type as the routine in the import file.
Description
Standard Description behavior.
If the routine in the import file is source-protected, the Description field is read-only.
Type
The type is read only and displays the routine type. It displays the attribute for the import component if the operation is overwrite, create or discard and displays the attribute for the component in the project if the operation is use existing.
In Program
In Phase
This field is read only and displays the name of the program or equipment phase into which to import the routine.
Number of Lines (Structured Text)
Number of Sheets (Function Block Diagram)
Number of Steps
(Sequential Function Chart)
This field is read only and it displays the appropriate attribute for the routine. If the routine is source-protected, this field displays Source Not Available.
Routine Definitions
The routine definitions follow these import processes:
Configuration
Behavior
Operation
The Operation column is always read-only and its contents are dependent on the operation of the imported component as follows:
  • Routines that exist in the import file but not in the project have an operation of create, if the operation is create or overwrite or have an operation of discard if the operation is discard or use existing.
  • Routines that exist in the project but not in the import file have an operation of delete if the operation is overwrite or have an operation of use existing if the operation is use existing or discard.
  • If the operation is use existing, the operation is use existing for each colliding routine.
  • If the import file operation is overwrite, the operation is overwrite for each colliding routine.
Final Name
The Final Name is read only. If the operation is discard, Final Name is blank. Otherwise Final Name displays the same content as the Import Name field.
For cases where the routine exists in the project but not in the import content (blank Import Name), Final Name displays the name of the routine that will be deleted.
Type
The Type is read only and displays the type of routine from the import file.
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