Proficy iFIX 2023

iFIX Glossary

GE Digital Proficy Historian and Operations Hub: Data Analysis in Context 1

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Table of Contents

iFIX Glossary 2

Numerics 3

A 3

B 4

C 4

D 5

E 5

F 6

G 6

H 6

I 6

J 6

K 7

L 7

M 7

N 7

O 8

P 8

Q 9

R 9

S 9

T 10

U 11

V 11

W 11

X 11

Y-Z 11

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. i

 Numerics 12

21 CFR Part 11 12

A 13

ABS Function 13

Account Privileges 13

ACOS Function 13

Active Network Path 13

Active Picture 13

Alarm Area Database 13

Alarm Areas 13

Alarm Conditions 14

Alarm Destination 14

Alarm Limits 14

Alarm ODBC 14

Alarm Priority 14

Alarm Queue 14

Alarm Status 14

Alarm Summary Object 14

Alarming 14

Alarms 15

Alarms Path 15

Alphanumeric Pattern 15

Animation Objects 15

Application Feature 15

Application Message 15

Application Path 15

Application User 15

Application Validator 16

ASIN Function 16

Asterisk Wildcard Character 16

ATAN Function 16

ii © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Audit Trail 16

Automatic Login File 16

Automatic Mode 16

Available Network Path 17

B 18

Background Area 18

Background Schedule 18

Base Path 18

Bitmap 18

Block 18

Block Field 18

Block Type 18

BMP 18

C 19

Chain 19

Click and Stick 19

Clipboard 19

Collection Group 19

Color Box 19

Color Palette 19

Color Threshold 19

Common Alarm Area 20

Completion Status Indicator 20

Compression Mode 20

Connection Failover 20

20

Constant Pattern 20

Contact Pattern 20

Contact Pattern Character 21

Continuous Use 21

Control Recipe 21

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. iii

 Control Recipe Path 21

Controllable 21

COS Function 21

Cross-Hair Cursor 22

D 23

Data Link 23

Data Source 23

Database Builder Command Line Parameters 23

Database Path 23

Deadband Limit 23

Disable Tag 23

Download 23

Drilling Down 24

Driver Image Table 24

Dynamic Connections 24

Dynamo Object 24

Dynamo Set 24

E 25

Easy Database Access 25

EGU Range 25

Electronic Record 25

Electronic Signature 25

Emergency Tag 25

Enhanced Coordinate System 25

Environment Protection 25

Event-Based Entries 26

Event Message 26

Event Object 26

Exception 26

Exception-Based Processing 26

Executable 27

iv © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 EXP Function 27

Expanded Decimal Notation 27

Expert 27

Expression 27

F 28

Fast Path 28

Filter Condition 28

Flip 28

Font 28

Format File 28

Formula 28

Function 28

G 30

Grid 30

Group Account 30

Group Membership 30

Grouped Objects 30

H 31

Handles 31

Handshaking 31

High Level Handshake 31

Historical Data Path 31

I 32

I-Beam Cursor 32

Identifier Column 32

iFIX Security Group 32

iFIX Security Privileges 32

Index Function 32

Insertion Cursor 32

INT Function 32

Intelligent Defaults 33

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. v

 J 34

Justify 34

K 35

Keyword 35

Keyword Variable 35

L 36

Language Path 36

Latched Alarm 36

Legacy Network Computing 36

Line Style Marker 36

Links 36

Literal Pattern 36

Local Node 36

Local Path 36

LOG Function 37

LOG10 Function 37

Logical Coordinate System 37

Lookup Function 37

M 38

Manual Mode 38

Masking 38

Master Recipe 38

Master Recipe Path 38

Messages 38

Modeless 38

Modifiable 38

Multi-Pen Trend Chart 38

N 40

Network Path 40

Network Status Display (NSD) 40

Node 40

vi © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Nudging 40

Numeric Pattern 40

O 41

Off Scan Status 41

On Scan Status 41

One-Shot Processing 41

Operator Message 41

Operators 41

Order of Solve 42

Overphase 42

Override Limit 42

Override Value 42

P 43

Part 11 43

Pattern 43

PDB 43

Pen 43

Phase 43

Phasing 43

Picture Coordinate Systems 44

Picture Path 44

Pitch 44

Pixel 44

Point 44

Polygon 44

Polyline 45

Primary and Secondary Contacts 45

Primary Block 45

Primary Node 45

Primary SCADA 45

Process Database 45

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. vii

 Program Block 45

Project 45

Project Path 46

Q 47

Qualifier Block 47

Query 47

R 48

Recipe 48

Recipe Development Window 48

Recipe Item 48

Recipe Message 48

Recipe Note File 48

Recipe Operations Window 48

Recipe Package Command Line Parameters 48

Recipe Report 49

Recipe Variable 49

Rectangle Selector 49

Reentrance Functionality 49

Refresh 50

Register:Bit 50

Examples 50

Relational Database 50

Remote Access Service (RAS) 50

Remote Node 50

Replacement String 50

Reshape 51

Resolve 51

S 52

SCADA Failover 52

52

SCADA Node 52

viii © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Scan Time 52

Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) 52

Scientific Notation 52

Screen Saver 53

SCU File 53

Search String 53

Secondary Block 53

Security Area 53

Shared Threshold 53

Simulation (SIM) Driver 53

SIN Function 53

Site-Specific Authentication 54

Slider 54

Snap to Grid 54

Sort Order 54

Special Purpose Link 54

Spin 54

SQL Data 54

SQL Library Table 55

SQL Login Account 55

SQRT Function 55

Stacking 55

Standard Integer Format 55

Startup Profile Manager 56

Subsecond Scan Time 56

Symbol 56

System Alert Message 56

System Configuration Utility 56

System Extension Toolkit (STK) 57

System Menu 57

T 58

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. ix

 Tag 58

Tagname 58

TAN Function 58

Task Wizard 58

Threshold 58

Time 58

Time-Based Processing 58

Time Stamp 59

Time Unit 59

Tolerance 59

Tool Box 59

ToolTips 59

Trend Area 60

Trend Line 60

Trusted Computing 60

U 61

Unit 61

UOM 61

Update Window Location 61

Upload 61

User Account 61

User Profile 61

V 63

Variable 63

Viewport 63

W 64

Wizard 64

X 65

X Axis 65

Y-Z 66

Y Axis 66

x © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Y Axis Label 66

Index 67

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. xi

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 1
iFIX Glossary

2 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Numerics
21 CFR Part 11

A
ABS Function
Account Privileges
ACOS Function
Active Network Path
Active Picture
Alarm Area Database
Alarm Areas
Alarm Conditions
Alarm Destination
Alarm Limits
Alarm ODBC
Alarm Priority
Alarm Queue
Alarm Status
Alarm Summary Object
Alarming
Alarms Path
Alphanumeric Pattern
Animation Objects
Application Feature
Application Message
Application Path
Application User
Application Validator
ASIN Function
Asterisk Wildcard Character
ATAN Function
Audit Trail

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 3

Automatic Login File
Automatic Mode
Available Network Path

B
Background Area
Background Schedule
Base Path
Bitmap
Block
Block Field
Block Type
BMP

C
Chain
Click and Stick
Clipboard
Collection Group
Color Box
Color Palette
Color Threshold
Common Alarm Area
Completion Status Indicator
Connection Failover
Compression Mode
Constant Pattern
Contact Pattern
Contact Pattern Character
Continuous Use
Control Recipe
Control Recipe Path
Controllable
COS Function
Cross-Hair Cursor

4 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 D
Data Collection Rate
Data Link
Data Source
Database Builder Command Line Parameters
Database Path
Deadband Limit
Disable Tag
Download
Drilling Down
Driver Image Table
Dynamic Connections
Dynamo
Dynamo Set

E
Easy Database Access
EGU Range
Electronic Record
Electronic Signature
Emergency Tag
Enhanced Coordinate System
Environment Protection
Event-Based Entries
Event Message
Event Object
Exception
Exception-Based Processing
Executable
EXP Function
Expanded Decimal Notation
Expert
Expression

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 5

F
Fast Path
Filter Condition
Flip
Font
Format File
Formula
Function

G
Grid
Group Account
Group Membership
Grouped Objects

H
Handles
Handshaking
High Level Handshake
Historical Data Path
Historical Path

I
I-Beam Cursor
Identifier Column
iFIX Security Group
iFIX Security Privileges
INDEX Function
Insertion Cursor
INT Function
Intelligent Defaults

J
Justify

6 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 K
Keyword
Keyword Variable

L
Language Path
Latched Alarm
Legacy Network Computing
Line Style Marker
Links
Literal Pattern
Local Node
Local Path
LOG Function
LOG10 Function
Logical Coordinate System
LOOKUP Function

M
Manual Mode
Masking
Master Recipe
Master Recipe Path
Messages
Modeless
Modifiable
Multi-Pen Trend Chart

N
Network Path
Network Status Display (NSD
Node
Nudging
Numeric Pattern

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 7

O
Off Scan Status
On Scan Status
One-Shot Processing
Operator Message
Operators
Order of Solve
Overphase
Override Limit
Override Value

P
Part 11
Pattern
PDB
Pen
Phase
Phase Value
Phasing
Picture Coordinate System
Picture Path
Pitch
Pixel
Point
Polygon
Polyline
Primary and Secondary Contacts
Primary Block
Primary Node
Primary SCADA
Process Database
Program Block
Project
Project Path

8 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Q
Qualifier Block
Query

R
Recipe
Recipe Development Window
Recipe Item
Recipe Message
Recipe Note File
Recipe Operations Window
Recipe Package Command Line Parameters
Recipe Report
Recipe Variable
Rectangle Selector
Reentrance Functionality
Refresh
Register:Bit
Relational Database
Remote Access Service (RAS)
Remote Node
Replacement String
Reshape
Resolve

S
SCADA Failover
SCADA Node
Scan Time
Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC)
Scientific Notation
Screen Saver
SCU File
Search String
Secondary Block

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 9

Security Area
Shared Threshold
Simulation (SIM) Driver
SIN Function
Site-Specific Authentication
Slider
Snap to Grid
Sort Order
Special Purpose Link
Spin
SQL Data
SQL Library Table
SQL Login Account
SQRT Function
Stacking
Standard Integer Format
Startup Profile Manager
Subsecond Scan Time
Symbol
System Alert Message
System Configuration Utility
System Extension Toolkit (STK)
System Menu

T
Tag
Tagname
TAN Function
Task Wizard
Threshold
Time
Time-Based Processing
Time Unit
Tolerance
Tool Box

10 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 ToolTips
Trend Area
Trend Line
Trusted Computing

U
Unit
UOM
Update Window Location
Upload
User Account
User Profile

V
Variable
Viewport

W
Wizard

X
X Axis

Y-Z
Y Axis
Y Axis Label

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 11

 Numerics

21 CFR Part 11

Government regulation that provides criteria for acceptance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
of electronic signatures and electronic records.

12 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 A

ABS Function

Calculates the absolute value of the specified number.

Syntax

ABS (number)

Account Privileges

The rights to access applications features and security areas. You can use account privileges to restrict
unauthorized users from accessing parts of iFIX.

You assign account privileges to user and group accounts using the Security Configuration program.

ACOS Function

Calculates the arccosine of the specified number. The number must be specified in radians.

Syntax

ACOS (number)

Active Network Path

The path (LAN connection) the View node is currently using to communicate with the SCADA server.

Active Picture

The picture with which the WorkSpace is interacting. You can distinguish the active picture by the appear-
ance of the title bar, which will be a different color or shade from the title bars of inactive pictures. The
picture border is highlighted on active pictures without a title bar.

Alarm Area Database

A list of the defined alarm areas.

Alarm Areas

Physical or functional divisions of a plant that act as routing labels for alarms and messages.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 13

Alarm Conditions

A digital block setting that indicates when to generate an alarm.

Alarm Destination

An enabled service on a node where alarms are routed. Alarm destinations include Alarm Printers, the
Alarm File Service, the Alarm Summary Service, and the Alarm Network Service.

Alarm Limits

Pre-defined values used by an analog block to generate alarms.

Alarm ODBC

The iFIX Alarm ODBC Service. This service writes iFIX alarms and messages to an ODBC-compliant rela-
tional database.

Alarm Priority

The relative severity of an alarm. You can assign a priority of INFO, LOLO, LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH, HIHI, or
CRITICAL to alarms.

Alarm Queue

Reserved memory that holds incoming alarm messages until an alarm service can process them. The size
of the queue determines how many alarms can be stored. If the queue overflows, the oldest unprocessed
alarms are discarded.

Alarm Status

The state of an alarm, such as OK, High, High High, Low, Low Low, Rate of Change, Deviation, or Change of
State.

Alarm Summary Object

A real-time display of alarms. The object also provides tools for filtering, sorting, coloring, acknowledging,
deleting, and pausing alarms.

Alarming

14 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 The process by which blocks receive process data, compare the data against pre-defined alarm limits,
and react to those process values that exceed these limits.

Alarms

A potentially harmful process condition requiring a response. Typically, this happens when a process
value has exceeded its pre-defined limit.

Alarms Path

Stores alarm data files and security log files. By default, the alarms path is set to C:\Program Files
(x86)\Proficy\iFIX\ALM.

Alphanumeric Pattern

A pattern that generates alphanumeric strings for a block field. The syntax is
<"string1","string2","stringX">, where string1 is the first string, string2 is the second, and stringX rep-
resents the last string in the series. Note that each string must be enclosed in quotes.

For example, you can enter <"Pump1", "Pump2","Pump3"> as the pattern for descriptor fields when gen-
erating a number of new blocks that control these devices.

Animation Objects

Objects that can be animated through connections to data sources. Animation objects come in three
forms: linear, lookup, and format.

Application Feature

An account privilege that allows an operator access to specific application functions. For example, the
WorkSpace Run-time application feature enables an operator to access the WorkSpace run-time envir-
onment.

Application Message

Message generated by operator actions or iFIX applications that include operator messages and recipe
messages.

Application Path

Stores data and configuration files for iFIX applications. By default, the application path is set to C:\Pro-
gram Files (x86)\Proficy\iFIX\APP.

Application User
© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 15
 An operator you want automatically logged into iFIX. Once logged in, operators have access to the priv-
ileges assigned to the specified user account.

Application Validator

A utility you use to verify the versions of an application's files, and to ensure that the files associated with
the application have not changed. You can run the Application Validator with or without iFIX running.

ASIN Function

Calculates the arcsine of the specified number. The number must be specified in radians.

Syntax

ASIN (number)

Asterisk Wildcard Character

The asterisk (*) wildcard character can be used to represent one or more characters in a string. To rep-
resent a single character use the question mark (?) wildcard character.

ATAN Function

Calculates the arctangent of the specified number. The number must be specified in radians.

Syntax

ATAN (number)

Audit Trail

A text file that lists all recipe activity on a node. The Recipe Builder provides two types of audit trails: a
summary audit trail and a detailed audit trail. The summary audit trail tracks recipe activity for an entire
recipe. The detailed audit trail tracks recipe activity on individual recipe items.

Automatic Login File

Identifies the operator to automatically log in when the specified node starts up.

Automatic Mode

A database tag mode in which the tag is scanned by the Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) program. In this
mode, the tag accepts data only from the poll table or other tags.

16 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

Available Network Path

When iFIX is configured for TCP/IP networking, any local IP address is considered available.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 17

 B

Background Area

The area of the chart that surrounds the trend area.

Background Schedule

A schedule that runs on a separate thread from the iFIX WorkSpace scripts.

Base Path

Stores all iFIX executable files. By default, this path is set to C:\Program Files (x86)\GE\iFIXX.

Bitmap

A graphic created by painting with pixels.

Block

An individual unit of instructions capable of receiving, checking, manipulating, and outputting process val-
ues. A block can also compare a process value against an alarm limit and perform calculations based on a
specific process value.

Block Field

A location in a block that holds process data. Blocks have many fields such as their current value, name,
scan time, EGU range, alarm limits, alarm areas, and security areas.

Block Type

Blocks are organized into types based upon similar functions. Blocks capable of performing batch func-
tions are of the batch type; blocks capable of performing statistical calculations are of the statistical
type, and so forth.

The types of blocks available to your system are dependent upon the options you purchased with iFIX.

BMP

A Windows file format for bitmaps.

18 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 C

Chain

Two or more blocks connected to each other. Your goal in creating a database is to chain blocks in a
sequence such that each block performs a specific task and then passes its information on to one or
more appropriate blocks.

Click and Stick

A picture property that allows you to view which objects can be selected, highlighted, or modified at run-
time. When enabled, as the mouse moves around the screen, a single highlighted box 'clicks' around the
object if it is selectable. If the object is highlighted, you can select or 'stick' the object. In addition, if sound
support is enabled, 'click' and 'stick' sounds play. Click and Stick is configured on the Picture Preferences
tab of the User Preferences dialog box, and is enabled by default.

Clipboard

An invisible data area used for temporarily holding data. iFIX makes use of its own clipboard and, for
some commands, the Window Manager Clipboard.

Collection Group

A set of tagnames for a selected node that identifies the database blocks that contain process data
required for trending. You can define up to 255 collection groups with 80 different tags in each collection
group.

The Historical Assign program stores collection groups in the historical data path in the following format:
HTRGRP##.DAT, where ## represents the number of the group (01- 255).

Color Box

The dialog box used to change the foreground, background, and edge colors of objects. It is also used to
access and create custom color palettes.

Color Palette

The set of colors from which you can color objects. It is also used to create custom colors.

Color Threshold

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 19

 Either a color and value combination (Color by Value) or a color and alarm state combination (Color by
Alarm or Color by Latched Alarm).

For a value threshold, you specify the upper limit of the range of values that correspond to a color. When
the value of the target database field is less than or equal to the threshold, but greater than all lower
thresholds, the foreground, edge, or background color of the object changes to the defined color.

For an alarm threshold, you specify the color that corresponds to an alarm state. When the target data-
base tag is in an alarm state, the object changes to the defined color.

Common Alarm Area

An alarm area you want to share among the enabled alarm destinations on the local computer.

Completion Status Indicator

Any analog database block used to monitor the progress of a recipe as it is downloaded or uploaded.
Once you define the block that acts as a completion status indicator, you can display its value through a
link or use it to post messages to an operator display using a command language script. The block must
be in manual mode.

Compression Mode

Trend charts automatically enter compression mode when a large time duration causes the total number
of trended points to exceed 1,000 points. In compression mode, charts filter out a proportion of data
points. There is a loss of precision when compression is enabled. If you want all the points trended to be
plotted on the chart, use a shorter time duration.

Connection Failover

Connection Failover occurs when the iClient switches its connection from one SCADA node to its partner.

Constant Pattern

A pattern that generates a string of text for a block field. The literal pattern can contain up to 255 char-
acters. When the constant pattern contains a punctuation mark or non-alphanumeric symbol, it must be
enclosed in quotation marks (" ").

For example, you can enter "Current Value > 100", "I/O Addr. < 500", or "PLC:N7:"<766:780:1>"/15" as con-
stant patterns.

Contact Pattern

20 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 An eight or sixteen character text string that represents the state of the digital points controlled and
monitored by the Device Control block. Each contact pattern character corresponds to an output or input
address defined in the block's dialog box.

A contact pattern can be used to:

l Monitor the digital points specified in the Input box.

l Control the digital points specified in the Output box.
l Specify the Initial Value of the digital points specified in the Output box when the Scan, Alarm, and
Control (SAC) program is first started.

Contact Pattern Character

The characters that make up a contact pattern are as follows:

Character Represents
O An open digital point. Enter the letter O, not the number zero (0).
C A closed digital point.
X The current state of a digital point. Use this character if an output address is not
defined or if a particular digital point's state is immaterial.

Continuous Use

Mode used in electronic signature. When a continuous use period is in effect, the user name field in the
Performed By section of the Electronic Signature dialog box contains the user name associated with the
last valid signature, requiring the operator to enter only his password.

Control Recipe

A production version of a recipe intended to be used by operators.

Control Recipe Path

Stores control recipe, control recipe error, and control recipe report files. By default, this path is set to
C:\Program Files (x86)\Proficy\iFIX\RCC.

Controllable

When an operator can highlight an object at run-time and control its properties, the object is said to be
controllable.

COS Function

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 21

 Calculates the cosine of the specified number. The number must be specified in radians.

Syntax

COS (number)

Cross-Hair Cursor

The cursor used to create rectangles, ovals, lines, polygons, and polylines.

22 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 D

Data Link

An object that allows you to display text and values from databases on a network.

Data Source

A reference to a source of information, such as iFIX tagnames and historical files, or other OPC-compliant
data servers. Additionally, a data source may consist of iFIX objects (such as shapes, charts, and vari-
ables) or 3rd party OLE controls.

Database Builder Command Line Parameters

Program Parameter Name Syntax

DBBSAVE Physical Node Name -Nnodename
Database -Ddatabase
DBBLOAD Physical Node Name -Nnodename
Database -Ddatabase

Database Path

Stores process database files, Database Builder configuration files, and I/O driver configuration files. By
default, this path is set to C:\Program Files (x86)\Proficy\iFIX\PDB.

Deadband Limit

A convenient and powerful way to compress data. It determines by how much the current collection
value must deviate from the last recorded value for the system to record the value in the historical data
file. For example, if the deadband limit is set to 0.5 (the default) and the first recorded value is 50, the
next value recorded must be greater than or equal to 50.5 or less than or equal to 49.5.

During times when process values are changing by insignificant amounts, a deadband limit can improve
system performance and decrease the amount of disk space used by historical data files.

Disable Tag

A database tag that prevents the Auto Alarm Manager from sending alarms.

Download

The transfer of data from a recipe to a process database on any SCADA node.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 23

Drilling Down

A method of changing a group's member objects by entering into the group without breaking the group.

Driver Image Table

The Driver Image Table is an area in memory in which the I/O driver stores process data. The Scan,
Alarm, and Control (SAC) retrieves this information and updates the database with it.

The Driver Image Table is built by the Driver Image Definition file, which is created when you configure an
iFIX I/O driver.

Dynamic Connections

A network option within the SCU that allows iFIX to automatically make a network connection when it
needs to resolve a link. The Dynamic Connections option is disabled by default, and when enabled will
affect all connections from the node.
NOTE: When you first connect to a remote node using a dynamic connection, you will receive a message stating that
no session is established with that node. This is normal -- the dynamic connection will be established to the remote
node at this time.

Dynamo Object

A reusable graphic, stored in a Dynamo set, that contains object properties. When you paste a Dynamo
from a picture into a Dynamo Set, the Dynamo object in the Dynamo Set becomes a Master Dynamo. To
create an instance of this Dynamo in a picture, drag and drop the Dynamo object from the set into the
picture. You are prompted to enter the appropriate animation values for the current picture. You can con-
vert custom-built objects, links, and application scripts, such as pumps, valves, and charts into Dynamo
objects.

Dynamo Set

A collection of custom or pre-built Dynamos. iFIX contains an extensive library of Dynamo sets that you
can use, or you can create your own.

24 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 E

Easy Database Access

A library of subroutines that provides easy access to iFIX data. EDA handles the details of memory man-
agement, error detection and recovery, networking, and so forth.

EGU Range

The maximum and minimum process values the process hardware can measure.

Electronic Record

Set of information containing the result of an action that required either one or two electronic sig-
natures. This set includes the name of the person that performed the action, and the details of the
action. If the action required two signatures, the set also contains the name of the person who verified
the action. An electronic record can also include optional comments entered at the time of the action by
both the performer and verifier.

Electronic Signature

Computer data compilation of any symbol or series of symbols executed, adopted, or authorized by an
individual to be the legally binding equivalent of the individual's handwritten signature.

Emergency Tag

A database tag that indicates the Auto Alarm Manager could not or did not send its alarms.

Enhanced Coordinate System

The system that defines an iFIX picture in postscript points. The Enhanced Coordinate System is provided
with iFIX version 5.8 or greater.

Environment Protection

Used to create a secure run-time environment that prevents the operator from performing unauthorized
actions, including:

l Starting other applications.

l Opening unauthorized pictures.
l Switching to other applications.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 25

 l Closing the current picture.
l Exiting the iFIX WorkSpace.
l Restarting the node using <Ctrl> <Alt> <Del>.
l Switching to the WorkSpace configuration environment.
l Using the WorkSpace menu.

Event-Based Entries

Entries in a schedule that can use any data source available to the system to trigger an action based on
any of five events (OnDataChange, OnTrue, OnFalse, WhileTrue, WhileFalse).

Event Message

A broadcast of database information that indicates when a Digital Input block has entered an alarm
state, or an output block (Digital Output, Analog Output, Digital Register or Analog Register) has sent a
value to the PLC.

An event message is similar to an alarm except that it does not require an acknowledgment.

l For output blocks (AO, DO, AR, DR) and the Text block, an event message is sent to the block's
enabled alarm areas every time the output block writes a value or the Text block changes its
value.
l For input blocks (DI), the block does not go into alarm, send any data to the Alarm Summary link,
or require acknowledgment. It will, however, send an event message to all enabled alarm areas
for that block. Links that displays the block's current alarms (A_CUALM) and latched alarms (A_
LAALM) will still show the block's alarm state (as OK, COS, or CFN).

Event Object

The name of the event type that will trigger the script.

Exception

The following situations constitute exceptions:

l A change in a process value greater than the defined exception dead band.
l An unsolicited message from your process hardware.

Exception-Based Processing

26 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Instructions that tell the Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) program to process blocks by exception rather
than a scheduled time interval. The Analog Input, Analog Alarm, Digital Input, and Digital Alarm blocks can
use this processing method.

Executable

The name of the file that runs an iFIX or a third party application. For example, RECIPE.EXE or EXCEL.EXE.
The executable file name must include path information. A string variable can replace this parameter.

EXP Function

Calculates the Anti-log of the specified number.

Syntax

EXP (number)

Expanded Decimal Notation

A format that displays measurements according to the following ranges:

Low Limit High Limit Numeric Type

-9999999 9999999
Signed integer

Using this format, you can specify up to six places after the decimal point. Make sure you enter the same
number of decimal places in fields that require both high and low (EGU) limits. Note that this range would
be -1E7 to +1E7 in scientific notation.

Expert

A simplified user interface consisting of a dialog box that, when completed, executes a script to perform a
task.

Expression

Constants, data sources, or a combination of constants and data sources connected with one or more
operators. Using the Expression Builder, you can create specific expressions that access data from
unique sources. This gives you more flexibility when assigning dynamic object properties.

Examples:
FIX32.FERMENT1.AI1.F_CV
Picture1.Rect1.HorizontalPosition + 10
FIX32.FERMENT1.AI1.F_CV + Picture1.Rect1.HorizontalPosition

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 27

 F

Fast Path

Reserved for future use. By default, the fast path is set to C:\Program Files (x86)\Proficy\iFIX\FAST.

Filter Condition

The criteria used by the Alarm Summary object to determine which alarms it displays.

Flip

The process of swinging an object over the vertical or horizontal axis, as if the object were hinged to it.

Font

A text design. The characters in a text object all have a common design.

Format File

A binary file that defines how the spreadsheet appears on the screen. The Recipe Builder appends the
extension .RFT to its format file and stores it in the directory pointed to by the local path.

Formula

A process value represented by a numeric or string constant, a mathematical expression, a function, a

variable, or a keyword. The Recipe Builder calculates the value of the formula and assigns it to the recipe
item or variable specified in the Identifier column of the spreadsheet.

Function

A mathematical operation common to most spreadsheets. The Recipe Builder provides the following func-
tions:

l ABS
l ACOS
l ASIN
l ATAN
l COS

28 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 l EXP
l INDEX
l INT
l LOG
l LOG10
l LOOKUP
l SIN
l SQRT
l TAN

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 29

 G

Grid

A tool for helping you lay out and align objects in a picture.

Group Account

A group account defines the application features and security areas for multiple users. By creating group
accounts, you define the account privileges most commonly needed for two or more people.

Group Membership

Group membership defines the group account(s) that a user is assigned to in a user account. Once
assigned to a group account, a user may have access to all the application features and security areas
defined for the group.

Grouped Objects

A set of objects that has been joined together with the Group command. Once you group objects into a
single object, you can manipulate the group like any other object.

30 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 H

Handles

The small squares that surround an object when you select it. Handles are used for resizing, rotating, or
reshaping objects. An object with solid handles has animations. An object with hollow handles does not
have dynamic properties.

Handshaking

The method by which iFIX nodes synchronize themselves for sending and receiving alarms over the net-
work.

High Level Handshake

Coordinates the activity between the database, the PLC, and the SQL System Task.

Historical Data Path

Stores historical data files and names the subdirectory according to the name of the node. By default, the
historical data path is set to C:\Program Files (x86)\Proficy\iFIX\HTRDATA.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 31

 I

I-Beam Cursor

Marks the start of a new text object or places the insertion cursor within an existing text object.

Identifier Column

A column in the Recipe Builder spreadsheet that enables you to enter the tagname of a database value
for which you want to apply a formula.

iFIX Security Group

User-configured collection of iFIX Security Areas and Application Features that can be assigned to iFIX
users of the same security class, such as Operators or Supervisors.

iFIX Security Privileges

Three categories of security permissions that can be assigned to an iFIX user: Security Group per-
missions, Security Area permissions, and Application Feature permissions.

Index Function

Locates the position of a string or number within a list. The position of each item in the list is zero-based,
so the first item is in position zero, the second item is in position one, and so on. You can substitute a vari-
able name or keyword anywhere you can use a number or string value. All string values must be enclosed
in quotation marks (" ").

Syntax

INDEX (number; numeric list) or INDEX (string; string list)

Insertion Cursor

Lets you create or edit text in your pictures.

INT Function

Calculates the integer value of the specified number.

Syntax

INT (number)

32 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

Intelligent Defaults

The operation iFIX uses to automatically fetch a data source based on an incomplete operator entry.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 33

 J

Justify

To line up text or numbers using the right side, left side, or center as a guide.

34 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 K

Keyword

A reserved name for a recipe variable. The Recipe Builder maintains a keyword for fields in the recipe
header and several other options. When you complete a header field or configure an option, the Recipe
Builder assigns the specified data to the keyword.

Keyword Variable

Keywords can be used as parameter variables in SQL calls. Keyword parameter variables are handled dif-
ferently. You can time/date stamp records that are inserted or updated. All records are sent with the
time and date on which they were triggered as well as the node name and SQT block tag name.

To stamp the time/date on a record, the SQL command is written containing the TMDT keyword para-
meter variable. When the iFIX ODBC Interface task detects this, instead of replacing the parameter vari-
ables with iFIX tag values, the time and date are used. This also applies to the NODENAME (SQT block
node name) and SQTBLK (SQT block name).

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 35

 L

Language Path

Stores the language files used to create dialog boxes and help files. If you choose to implement a native
language other than English, the new language and help files replace the files found in this directory. By
default, this path is set to C:\Program Files (x86)\Proficy\iFIX\NLS.

Latched Alarm

A database block's most severe unacknowledged alarm.

Legacy Network Computing

Legacy network computing allows you to continue to use legacy (iFIX 3.5 and earlier) security with iFIX
4.0. Legacy security works on non-secure IP addresses.

Line Style Marker

A line style marker, defined in the Line Style dialog box, displays on the trend line and is used to dis-
tinguish between overlapping trend lines or when printing in black and white. Historical data pens must
either use a line style marker or show a trend line, or both.

Links

Real-time connections to data points in the process database that are used to display or process inform-
ation.

Literal Pattern

A pattern that generates a literal string of text for a block field. Literal patterns can contain up to 255
characters and do not require quotation marks.

For example, you can enter alarms, elapsed time, and analog input from tank A as literal patterns.

Local Node

The node at which you are physically located.

Local Path

36 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Stores configuration files associated with the local computer, including the SCU and Security application
files. By default, this path is set to C:\Program Files (x86)\Proficy\iFIX\LOCAL.

LOG Function

Calculates the natural log of the specified number.

Syntax

LOG (number)

LOG10 Function

Calculates the Base 10 log of the specified number.

Syntax

LOG10 (number)

Logical Coordinate System

The system that defines an iFIX picture in logical units. The Logical Coordinate System is a legacy system
used primarily in iFIX version 5.5 or earlier.

Lookup Function

Locates nth value in a list, where n is a zero-based integer. You can substitute a variable name or
keyword anywhere you can use a number or string value. All string values must be enclosed in quotation
marks (" ").

Syntax

LOOKUP (n; numeric list)

-or-

LOOKUP (n; string list)

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 37

 M

Manual Mode

A database tag mode in the value of a tag can be manually changed by the operator or through a soft-
ware application.

Masking

A technique for creating complex objects. This technique is a way of appearing to remove unwanted parts
from a shape. By creating objects that match your background color and have no edge, you can make
parts of a shape disappear.

Master Recipe

A generic version of a recipe; a recipe template. Master recipes are created and modified by process
engineers and have a modifiable batch size and destination.

Master Recipe Path

Stores master recipe, master recipe error, and master recipe report files for the Recipe application. By
default, this path is set to C:\Program Files (x86)\Proficy\iFIX\RCM.

Messages

Informational text that does not require an operator response. This text could describe a system-level,
application, or database event.

Modeless

The ability of a dialog box to remain on the operator's screen even when the cursor is not in that dialog
box. Typically, this applies to dialog boxes that require re-entry, such as the Color Box and some Experts.

Modifiable

When an operator can modify an object at run-time, it is said to be modifiable.

Multi-Pen Trend Chart

38 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 A chart that plots up to eight floating point or Trend tag values as continuous lines. This chart monitors
the change in key database tag values over a prescribed duration.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 39

 N

Network Path

A network path is made up of a protocol and LAN card or modem. For example: TCP/IP over a LAN card,
or TCP/IP over RAS.

Network Status Display (NSD)

The Network Status Display tag contains network status information.

Node

Any computer running iFIX software.

Nudging

The act of moving an object by the smallest possible increment. In an iFIX picture, you can nudge objects
using the arrow keys.

Numeric Pattern

A pattern that generates numeric data for a block field. The syntax is <start:end:increment>, where start
is the initial value of the pattern, end is the ending value, and increment is the number to add to the cur-
rent pattern value.

For example, if you enter <1:10:1> as a pattern, the system generates a range of numbers from 1 to 10.
An entry of <1:20:3> generates the numbers 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, and 19.

40 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 O

Off Scan Status

A tag with an off scan status is not processed by the Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) program. When a tag
is off scan, its associated database chain is also off scan.

On Scan Status

A tag with an on scan status is being processed by the Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) program every
scan cycle. When a tag is on scan, its associated database chain is also on scan.

One-Shot Processing

One-shot processing instructs the Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) program to process a block once. This
processing method is similar to exception-based processing, except that the block will not trigger again
unless SAC is restarted, the database is reloaded, or the block is turned off scan and then turned back on
scan. Any block with a scan time can be configured for one-shot processing.

Operator Message

A broadcast of information generated whenever an operator uses a mouse, keyboard, or touch screen to
input to a iFIX application.

Operators

The Recipe Builder provides the following set of operators common to many spreadsheet programs:

Operator Syntax

( ) (parentheses) (expression)

- (unary minus) -number

^ (exponentiation) number^number

* (multiplication) number * number

/ (division) number / number

+ (addition) number + number

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 41

 - (subtraction) number - number

< (less than) number < number

<= (less than or equal to) number <= number

> (greater than) number >number

>= (greater than or equal to) number >=number

!= (not equal to) number !=number

= = (equal to) number = = number

Order of Solve

The order in which SAC scans database blocks.

Overphase

A phase that is longer than its scan time.

Override Limit

The highest or lowest possible override value an operator can enter into a recipe. Each recipe has two
override limits, the high override limit and the low override limit. The Recipe Builder verifies the override
value is within the high and low limit range before it accepts the override value.

Override Value

An alphanumeric value you enter in place of a recipe item's or variable's calculated value. Any formula
that references an overridden variable is recalculated using the override value. When a recipe is down-
loaded, the override value is sent to the database in place of the calculated value.

42 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 P

Part 11

Shorthand term referring to the 21 CFR Part 11 regulation.

Pattern

A pattern acts as a programming statement for generating a range of numeric or constant values. The
specific values generated by the pattern replace block field entries. For example, you can generate a
range of block addresses for multiple blocks by entering a pattern for the I/O Address field. Each pattern
can be up to 255 alphanumeric characters, including the angle brackets.

You can use a pattern to generate numeric data, alphanumeric data, literal strings, or constant strings in
block fields.

PDB

A process database, such as the iFIX tag database.

Pen

A pen represents a floating-point value or tag that is displayed in a chart link.

Phase

A phase is a unit of time that offsets the processing of a block from its defined scan time. Specify a phase
that is the same unit of time and/or one unit of time lower than the unit of the scan time. The order of
units is in hours, minutes, seconds, and subseconds.

Valid phase entries are as follows:

If the scan time is... The phase time can be...

Hours Hours:Minutes
Minutes Minutes:Seconds
Seconds Seconds
Subseconds Subseconds

Phasing

Phasing staggers the times at which SAC scans your primary blocks. You can use phasing with time-based
processing to make more efficient use of CPU time and ensure that certain blocks are scanned before oth-
ers.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 43

 Phasing offsets the processing of a block from its defined scan time. For example, if you have three blocks
with a scan time of five seconds, SAC attempts to process all three blocks simultaneously. However, if
you add a phase time based on one second increments, SAC evenly distributes block processing according
to the phase time. For example (based on a 09:00 startup time):

Scan Time SAC Processing Phased scan time SAC Processing

Block1: 5S 09:00, 09:05, 09:10, etc Block 1: 5S scan time, no

09:00, 09:05, 09:10, etc
phase
Block 2: 5S 09:00, 09:05, 09:10, etc Block 2: 5S scan time, 1S
09:01, 09:06, 09:11, etc
phase
Block 3: 5S 09:00, 09:05, 09:10, etc Block 3: 5S scan time, 2S
09:02, 09:07, 09:12, etc
phase

Picture Coordinate Systems

The system that defines an iFIX picture in either logical units or postscript points. The supported coordin-
ate systems include:

l The Logical Coordinate System - a legacy system (primarily iFIX 5.5 or earlier) that measures
screen resolution in logical units.
l The Enhanced Coordinate System - a newer coordinate system that provides independence from
restricted screen resolutions and is provided with iFIX 5.8 and greater. The Enhanced Coordinate
System measures screen resolution in postscript points.

Picture Path

Stores picture files, Dynamo files, tag group files, macro files, block status display files, and WorkSpace
configuration files. By default, the picture path is set to C:\Program Files (x86)\Proficy\iFIX\PIC.

Pitch

The width of a character.

Pixel

Short for picture element. A pixel is one of the tiny dots that make up a monitor screen.

Point

A measure of size. One point is equal to 1/72 of an inch.

Polygon

44 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 A closed graphic object consisting of three or more sides.

Polyline

Two or more connected line segments.

Primary and Secondary Contacts

Remote Access Service (RAS) phone book entries that the Auto Alarm Manager dials when it reports
alarms. Each phone book entry defines a phone number for a receiving node.

Primary Block

A block that receives data from an I/O driver or OPC server. Primary blocks are usually associated with
one or more pieces of I/O hardware and are always the first block in a chain.

Primary Node

The SCADA node you want the local View node to communicate with initially.

Primary SCADA

The SCADA node from which the View node will initially try to read and write data.

Process Database

A data file that holds all the data from your process hardware. It is the primary source of data for most
iFIX applications.

Program Block

A powerful means of running short programs to increase the degree of automation in your process or to
assist in batch control.

Project

A grouping of application files, such as pictures, databases, and tag groups, saved in a specific folder iden-
tified by the project name.

You define the project name and path from the Path Configuration dialog box in the System Configuration
Utility (SCU).

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 45

Project Path

Stores specific application files, such as pictures, databases, and tag groups. By using project paths you
can manage application files on a project-by-project basis.

The default value for the Project Path is the base path.

46 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Q

Qualifier Block

An optional database block, usually a Digital Input or Digital Output block, used to determine when the
data collection state for the collection group is on or off. When the digital block goes from Open to Close,
data collection starts for the group. When the digital block goes from Close to Open, data collection
stops.

If the Qualifier block is not a digital block, then the block's current value is the start and stop qualifier. A
value of 0 stops collection. Any value other than 0 starts collection.
NOTE: You cannot use a Digital Register block as a qualifier block.

Query

A request to the Database Manager to display one or more blocks from the database.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 47

 R

Recipe

A set of rules for changing one or more process values to specific database blocks.

Recipe Development Window

One of two windows that the Recipe Builder provides for displaying recipes. This window provides full
access to all recipes and is intended for the process engineer who must create, modify, and maintain
master recipes and control recipes.

Recipe Item

A process value identified by a tagname or a symbol. Each recipe item contains nine fields. These fields
define the item and include information such as the recipe item identifier, description, value, and unit of
measure (UOM).

Recipe Message

A broadcast of information generated whenever the Recipe application performs an operation, including
uploading, downloading, or saving a recipe.

Recipe Note File

A text file that can provide instructions, comments, version information, or any other data you want to
save about the recipe. The name of each recipe note file matches the name of the recipe associated with
it. The extension .RCN is appended to each recipe note file name. Recipe note files reside in the directory
pointed to by the control recipe path.

Recipe Operations Window

One of two windows that the Recipe Builder provides for displaying recipes. This window provides limited
control recipe access and is intended for operators who must download control recipes or override a
value.

Recipe Package Command Line Parameters

Use the following parameters with the iFIX Recipe executable, RCP.EXE:

48 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Parameter Name Syntax

Batch Size /bbatch_size

Control Recipe /ccontrol_recipe

Error File /e

Command Line File /ffilename

Tag Group /gtag_group_filename

Batch ID /ibatch_id

Master Recipe /mmaster_recipe

Download Remarks /rremarks

Master Recipe Text /xmaster_text_filename

Control Recipe Text /ycontrol_text_filename

Override variable=value

Recipe Report

A text file that lists each column present in the recipe and the data in each column.

Recipe Variable

A user-defined string or numeric parameter used to represent an internal value. In a recipe, variables are
never downloaded to the database. Variables can be used in formulas of recipe items or other variables
to represent the necessary process values.

Rectangle Selector

The visible line that appears when a group of objects is selected. Also known as a bounding outline.

Reentrance Functionality

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 49

 A property of certain Experts that allows you to exit the Expert in the iFIX WorkSpace and then go back
and use the Expert later, without having to reopen the Expert.

Refresh

To redraw the screen.

Register:Bit

Register or Register:Bit addresses are used to select I/O addresses provided by the SIM Driver. The SIM
driver provides 2000 sixteen-bit registers which can be accessed from database blocks as I/O addresses.
They can also be addressed from parts of certain blocks, such as STEPS of the Program or Device Control
blocks. The data in the registers can be addressed a word at a time (as Analog data) or a bit at a time (as
Digital data).

For... The ranges are...

Analog Values Register: 0 to 1999, Bit: not used
Digital Values Register: 0 to 1999, Bit: 0 to 15

Examples
The following specifies SIM register number 42:

42

The following register:bit specifies the 13th bit (starting with Bit 0) in the 10th register:

10:12

Relational Database

Standard database, such as Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle.

Remote Access Service (RAS)

Software developed by Microsoft and distributed with Windows that allows a modem to act like a net-
work card so that a remote machine can dial in and participate in a local area network.

Remote Node

Any node on the network that is not the local node.

Replacement String

50 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 A user-defined piece of text that the Database Manager inserts into a cell when searching and replacing
data.

Reshape

To move a point in a polyline or polygon.

Resolve

A method of updating the tag definitions in a picture or schedule without querying the database. Data-
base information for each tag in a picture is saved as part of the file on disk. When a picture or schedule
is displayed in the run-time environment, and the database information is not up to date, the iFIX
WorkSpace has to query the database and resolve the tag definitions; a time consuming process.

Resolving in the configuration environment eliminates the need for the iFIX WorkSpace to query the data-
base. The end result is that the picture or schedule opens faster in the run-time environment.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 51

 S

SCADA Failover

SCADA failover occurs when the active SCADA node changes to standby and the standby SCADA changes
to active. SCADA failover can be initiated automatically or manually.

SCADA Node

A SCADA (Supervisory, Control, And Data Acquisition) server is a node that loads a process database in
memory and collects process information from one or more control devices. A SCADA server can return
process information to the control devices to automate and control a process. All SCADA servers run the
Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) program in order to process the database.

Scan Time

A user-defined interval at which the Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) program processes a block and any
blocks chained to it.

Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC)

A program that retrieves process information from an I/O driver or OPC server. Using the data it receives,
SAC updates blocks in the database and process alarms. SAC also returns corrective values from the
database to a control device.

Scientific Notation

The scientific notation format displays measurements according to the following ranges:

Low Limit

+/-3.4E-38

High Limit

+/-3.4E+38

Numeric Type

Exponential
NOTE: Use this format to display very large or very small numbers. Only the first seven digits are accurate. If you
prefer, you can also use scientific notation for numbers that iFIX can display in decimal notation. Using decimal notation
with scientific notation, you can specify up to six places after the decimal point.

52 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

Screen Saver

Pattern or animated image that displays on a computer's desktop after a user-configured period of
mouse or keyboard inactivity.

SCU File

The SCU file contains information that the iFIX Startup program needs to configure your node. When you
run Startup, it reads the SCU file and uses the information to run several system tasks. iFIX only uses the
SCU file during startup, so most changes you make to the file while the system is running will not take
effect until you stop and restart iFIX.

Search String

A user-defined piece of text that you want the Database Manager to locate.

Secondary Block

A block that receives input from an upstream block and performs a specific function with the input. For
example, a secondary block can perform a calculation or store several successive inputs.

Security Area

A physical or functional division of your process that allows you to restrict access to schedules, recipes,
operator displays, and write-protect database blocks. Security areas can be process hardware (such as
pumps or ovens) or utilities (such as fuel, water, or steam), or maintenance functions.

You can define up to 254 security areas, which are identified by number. Associated with each number is
a name of up to 20 alphanumeric characters. By default, iFIX names the first 16 security areas A through
P.

Shared Threshold

A threshold that is shared in either a global data source or in another picture.

Simulation (SIM) Driver

A matrix of addresses where values are written to and read from. If one block writes to a specific
address, other blocks can read the same value from the same address. SIM points are saved in the pro-
cess database itself but are cleared when SAC is started or when you reload the database. Refer to the
Building a SCADA System manual for more information.

SIN Function
© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 53
 Calculates the sine of the specified number. The number must be specified in radians.

Syntax

SIN (number)

Site-Specific Authentication

Provides security for a network and prevents non-certified iFIX installations from communicating in that
network.

Site-specific passwords are used to validate and authenticate network transmissions allowing you to set
up multiple secure networks with different certificates, thus isolating iFIX networks from each other.
Non-configured, or default installations,cannot be used to intercept or initiate communications in a
secure network.

Slider

A scroll bar used to adjust a value along a range.

Snap to Grid

A grid that forces the top left-hand corner of a new or moved object to line up with a grid point.

Sort Order

The order in which the Database Manager organizes and displays spreadsheet data.

Special Purpose Link

A special object that allows you to add push buttons or alarming information to your displays. Special pur-
pose links generally behave like grouped graphic objects even though they can't be ungrouped. These links
include the Push Button and Alarm Summary links.

Spin

To rotate around a center point that is inside the rotating object.

SQL Data

An data that you want to display in a chart from a relational database. The data is retrieved using the
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) interface. SQL data can be displayed in the same chart with his-
torical or lab data.

54 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

SQL Library Table

Contains the SQL commands to be executed.

SQL Login Account

Allows the iFIX node to connect to a relational database. This account, defined in the system Con-
figuration Utility (SCU), identifies the following elements:

l Database Identifier, or Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) data source, that specifies the name
of the relational database.
l User name for login purposes.
l Password for login purposes.

The iFIX SQL system task does not need to be running to create an SQL login account.

SQRT Function

Calculates the square root of the specified number.

Syntax

SQRT (number)

Stacking

A technique for creating complex objects. In an object-oriented environment, moving one object on top of
another does not erase the object underneath. You can stack many objects on top of each other. In this
way, you can stack simple shapes to create a complex shape. When you select and group the stack, it
becomes a new object.

Standard Integer Format

The standard integer format displays measurements according to the following ranges:

Low Limit High Limit Numeric Type

-32768 32767
Signed Integer

0 65535
Unsigned Integer

0 999
3BCD

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 55

 0 9999
4BCD

0 4095
12 Binary

0 32767
15BN

Startup Profile Manager

Utility that allows you to associate a Windows user with a specific iFIX Project Configuration.

An iFIX Project Configuration is the SCU file and node name combination that you want the iFIX Startup
dialog box to display when the specified user launches it. In the iFIX Project Configuration, you can also
define whether the user can modify these fields.

Subsecond Scan Time

The Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) program is automatically set to run subsecond scan time processing
(.05 to .95 seconds). No additional changes are required.

Symbol

Placeholders for data sources or text in a picture. If entering a symbol in a picture, type an at sign (@) at
the beginning and end of the symbol name to allow the iFIX software to differentiate tag group symbols
from ordinary text. If defining symbols in the Symbol column of the Tag Group Editor, you only need to
enter the symbol name.

System Alert Message

A message that pops-up to inform operators of an error. For example, if an alarm queue overflows, a sys-
tem alert message appear to warn the operator that one or more alarms have been lost.

System Configuration Utility

The System Configuration Utility (SCU) is a tool for creating a file that contains specific information about
programs and options, including:

l Where to find files.

l Which nodes to establish network connections with.
l Where to send alarm and operator messages.
l Which I/O drivers to load.
l Which SCADA options to use.

56 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 l Which database to load.
l Which programs to execute.

System Extension Toolkit (STK)

A software module that puts a tag.field interface on an arbitrary data source.

System Menu

The menu located in the currently opened picture's title bar with controls that allow you to perform such
window-related actions as Restore, Move, Size, Minimize, Maximize, Close, and Next. The system menu
can be disabled or enabled (if the picture's title bar is also enabled) in the Picture dialog box.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 57

 T

Tag

Individual units of instructions stored in the database that are capable of receiving, verifying, manip-
ulating, and outputting process values. Tags can also compare a process value against an alarm limit and
perform calculations based on a specific process value.

Tagname

The information needed to access database data. A tagname consists of a node name, database block
(tag) name, and field name in this format:
NODE:TAG.FIELD

TAN Function

Calculates the tangent of the specified number. The number must be specified in radians.

Syntax

TAN (number)

Task Wizard

An organizer that allows you to access, customize, and run iFIX Experts by choosing a category and a task
specific to that category.

Threshold

A range of values or an alarm state associated with a particular color.

Time

In a time-based processing entry, the time parameter can be:

If the range is... SAC scans the block every...

.05 to .95 seconds .05 seconds (.05, .10, .15 and so on)
1 to 60 seconds 1 second
1 to 60 minutes 1 minute
1 to 24 hours 1 hour

Time-Based Processing

58 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Time-based processing instructs the Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) program to process blocks at a set
time.

SAC bases hour and minute scan times on the system clock of the node on which the chain exists. Scan
times are set relative to midnight (00:00:00 hours). SAC bases second and subsecond scan times on the
system startup time. Keep this in mind when you enter times for phasing.

To use time-based processing, define the blocks time-based scan time in the Scan Time field in the fol-
lowing format:
time unit

NOTE: When you use time-based processing in chains that include multiple primary blocks, enter 0 in the Scan Time
field and clear the Start Block on Scan field of primary blocks that are not the first block in the chain.

Time Stamp

The time and date the alarm was generated.

Time Unit

Used with time-based processing to define how often the Scan, Alarm, and Control (SAC) program scans
the block and retrieves values. Valid entries for a time unit are as follows:

l .05 to .95S (sub-seconds)

l 1 to 60S (seconds)
l 1 to 60M (minutes)
l 1 to 24H (hours)

If you enter a time unit without an S (seconds/sub-seconds), M (minutes), or H (hours), SAC assumes the
entry is in seconds.

Tolerance

The allowable deviation from a value when evaluating an expression, data source, or other animation.

Tool Box

Contains buttons that execute iFIX WorkSpace menu commands. You can customize the contents of the
Tool Box, the order of the buttons, and the size of the Tool Box.

ToolTips

When enabled, each button on the Tool Box displays a ToolTip. The ToolTip appears when the cursor
rests on a Tool Box button. It displays the command that the button performs. By default, ToolTips are

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 59

 enabled. You can enable and disable ToolTips by selecting the Tool Box Setup command on the Tools
menu.

Trend Area

The area of the chart where the trend lines and grids display.

Trend Line

Displays historical process data collected on a tagname.

Trusted Computing

Trusted computing means that connection authentication is enabled for the communications server
receiving the incoming connections. All incoming connections on a secure communications IP address
must meet the secure communications requirements.

60 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 U

Unit

In a time-based processing entry, the unit parameter can be:

Unit Entry
Seconds S (default)
Minutes M
Hours H

For example: 20S or 15M or 2H

The time that you assign to a unit must be a valid time range for the unit. For example, the seconds unit
accepts a range of 1 to 59 seconds. Anything beyond 59 seconds is in the minute range. Units cannot be
combined. You must enter a valid time followed by an S, M, or an H.

UOM

The unit of measure used by a recipe item.

Update Window Location

A picture operation that allows you to preserve the current view of the picture so that, after being saved
and then reopened, it will look exactly the same way it did when created.

Upload

The transfer of data from process databases on any SCADA node to a recipe.

User Account

Provides individual access to group accounts, security areas, and application features. Each user account
is identified by a full name, login name, optional password and optional timeout specification.

The Security Configuration program lets you specify a user account to automatically log in an operator or
you can have each user log in manually with the Security Login program.

User Profile

A user profile identifies the SCU and node name that you want to load when the specified user attempts
to start iFIX.

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You define user profiles in the Startup Profile Manager, which you can access from the iFIX WorkSpace
system tree.

62 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 V

Variable

A user-defined string or numeric parameter used to represent an internal value. In a recipe, variables are
never downloaded to the database. Variables can be used in formulas of recipe items or other variables
to represent the necessary process values.

Viewport

When a window cannot display the entire contents of a picture file, the window is said to be the view-
port. The viewport allows you to see part of the file. You use scroll bars to move to other parts of the file
into the viewport.

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 W

Wizard

A process assistant that consists of a series of dialog boxes that, when completed, performs a task.

64 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 X

X Axis

The X axis (time axis) is the horizontal line at the bottom of the chart that displays the times associated
with the data displayed in the chart.

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 65

 Y-Z

Y Axis

The vertical line on the left side of the chart. The Y axis has labels that display EGU limits assigned to
each tagname displayed in the chart.

Y Axis Label

The Y axis label on a Multi-Pen chart displays the limit range associated with one of the eight pens dis-
played in the link. For example, pen 1 may have a limit range of 1 to 100, while pen 2 may have a range of
1 to 120. The label on the Y axis, when included in the chart, displays the limit range of pen 1 when pen 1
is selected.

66 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Index application user 15

Application Validator 16

ASIN function 16
2
Asterisk wildcard character 16
21 CFR Part 11 12
ATAN function 16

audit trail 16
A
Auto Alarm Manager 23, 25
ABS function 13
AutoLogin command 16
account 13, 30, 61
automatic login 16
ACOS function 13
automatic mode 16
active path 13
available path 16
active picture 13

alarm area 13 B
alarm area database 13
background area 18
alarm areas 20
background schedule 18
alarm conditions 14
base 18
alarm destination 14
bit 50
alarm limits 14
bitmap 18
alarm ODBC 14
block 18, 47
alarm priority 14
block type 18
defined 14
blocks 13-14
alarm queue 14
BMP 18
alarm status 14
bounded outline 49
Alarm Summary object 14, 28
Bring to Front command 38, 55
alarming 14

alarms 13-15, 59 C

alarms path 15 chain 19

alphanumeric pattern 15 click and stick 19

animation objects 15 Clipboard 21

application feature 13, 15 collection group 19

application message 15 color box 19

application path 15 color palette 19

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 67

 color threshold 19 EGU 27, 52, 55

completion status indicator 20 EGU range 25

compression mode 20 electronic record 25

constant pattern 20 electronic signature 25

contact pattern 20 emergency tag 25

contact pattern character 21 environment protection 25

Continuous Use 19 event-based entries 26

control recipe 21 event message 26

control recipe path 21 executable 27

controllable 21 EXP function 27

COS function 21 Expanded decimal notation 27

cross-hair cursor 22 Expert 27

cursors 22, 32 Reentrance functionality 49

expressions 41
D

data link 23 F

data source 23 fast path 28

Database Builder command line parameters 23 files 53

database path 23 filter condition 28

deadband limit 23 flip 28

Device Control block 21 Flip Horizontal command 28

disable tag 23 Flip Vertical command 28

DIT 24 font 28, 44

download 23 Format file 28

drilling down 24 formula 28, 41

Driver Image Table 24 functions 28

dynamic connections 24
G
Dynamo set 24
Glossary 1
Dynamos 24
grid 30
E group 19

easy database access 25 group account 30

68 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 Group command 30 line style marker 36

grouped objects 30 links 36, 54

literal pattern 36
H
local node 36
handles 31
local path 36
handshaking 31
LOG function 37
high level handshake 31
LOG10 function 37
High Limit field 27, 52, 55
logical coordinate system 44
historical data path 31
login 16
horizontal grid 30
login account 55

I SQL 55

Lookup function 37
I-beam cursor 32
Low Limit field 27, 52, 55
identifier column 32

iFIX project 45
M
iFIX Security Group 32
manual mode 38
iFIX security privileges 32
marker 36
Index function 32
masking 38
insertion cursor 32
master recipe 38
INT function 32
master recipe path 38
intelligent defaults 33
mathematical expressions 41

J messages 38, 56

modeless 38
justify 34
modifiable 38
K Multi-Bar Trend chart 66
keyword 35 Multi-Pen Trend chart 38, 66
keyword variable 35
N
L network path 17, 40
language path 36 network status server 40
latch alarm 36 node 36, 40, 50
legacy network computing 36 defined 40

© 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved. 69

 nss 40 polygon 44

nudging 40 polyline 45

numeric pattern 40 primary block 45

primary contact 45
O
primary node 45
objects 31
primary scada 45
handles 31
process database 45
nudging 40
Program block 45
off scan status 41
project 45-46
on scan status 41

one-shot processing 41 Q

operator message 41 qualifier block 47

operators 41 query 47

order of solve 42
R
overphase 42
ras 50
override limit 42
RAS phone book entries 45
override value 42
recipe 48
P recipe command line parameters 48

Part 11 43 Recipe Development window 48

Paths command 18, 45 recipe item 48

pattern 43 recipe message 48

PDB 43 recipe note file 48

pen 43 Recipe Operations window 48

phase 43-44 recipe report 49

phasing 43 recipe variable 49

picture 13 rectangle selector 49

picture path 44 Reentrance functionality 49

pitch 44 refresh 50

pixel 44 register 50

plant 53 relational database 50

point 44 remote access 50

70 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

 remote node 50 SQL login account 55

replacement string 50 SQRT function 55

reshape 51 stacking 55

resolve 51 standard integer format 55

Startup Profile Manager 56

S
status 40
SAC 41, 59
stk 57
Scan 52
subsecond scan time 56
Alarm: and Control (SAC) 52
system alert message 56
scan time 52
System Configuration Utility 56
schedule 18
system menu 57
scientific notation 52
system toolkit 57
screen saver 53

SCU 53-54, 60 T

search string 53 tag 41, 58

secondary block 53 tagname 58

secondary contact 45 TAN function 58

security 54, 60 Task Wizard 58

security area 13, 53 text 28, 44

selecting objects 31 threshold 58

Send to Back command 38, 55 color 19

shared threshold 53 shared 53

SIM driver 53 time-based processing 58-59, 61

SIN function 53 time parameter 58-59

site-specific authentication 54 time stamp 59

slider 54 tolerance 59

snap to grid 54 Tool Box 59

sort order 54 toolkit 57

special purpose link 54 ToolTips 59

spin 54 trend area 60

SQL data 54 trend line 60

SQL Library Table 55 trusted computing 60

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 U

Ungroup command 30

unit parameter 61

UOM 61

Update Window Location 61

upload 61

user 15

user account 61

user profile 61

Variable 63

vertical grid 30

viewport 63

wildcard character 16

Wizard 64

X axis 65

Y axis 66

Y axis label 66

72 © 2023 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.