topic Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic? in Lookout

How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Steve_McLain — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:08:28 GMT

I've been doing some research and I think the best way to do it would be to utilize the OPC server. However, I really don't have a good idea of how to do that. Is there a dll that I need to call and set up to interface with it? Do I need to set up an OPC server from the VB side? Any direction would be nice. Thanks!

Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Ryan.S — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:46:59 GMT

Lookout itself is an OPC Server. See this KB. http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/0AB36E6FB0DC82F986256D03004A76D6?OpenDocument

So, in VB, use datasocket to connect the Lookout OPC Server to read/write tags in Lookout.

Or, you can directly use datasocket to do communicate between Lookout and VB. Lookout does support datasocket.

Maybe DDE is another option. not sure.

Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Steve_McLain — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:41:12 GMT

I think a light just went on in my head...

Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Steve_McLain — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:59:21 GMT

Okay, I can't figure out how to create a datasocket in Visual Basic .Net 2008. I can't figure out how to grab info from the Lookout OPC server. I'm a little worried I may not figure this one out.

Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Mike@DTSI — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:23:08 GMT

OPC .Net source code:

http://www.opcfoundation.org/DownloadFile.aspx/NET%20API/OPC%20.NET%20API%201.30%20Readme%203.00.htm?RI=315

Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Steve_McLain — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:36:21 GMT

Unfortunately, I'm not an OPC member. I was trying to do this at low cost. I keep running into the wall of the foundation. Isn't there another way?

Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Mike@DTSI — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:43:32 GMT

Another: http://www.kepware.com/Products/KEPServerEX_VB_Install.asp

Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Steve_McLain — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:49:08 GMT

I'm checking that one out right now. I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you so much for taking your time to help me.

Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Steve_McLain — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:57:08 GMT

Ok, I have to admit, I don't know what to do with this. I found this on my own yesterday. It runs an OPC simulator and provides me with some old VB6 code that I can't get to work for me. Really, I just need to get the code that connects to the National Instruments.LookoutOPCServer and then grabs the value of a single expression. I've searched high and low and haven't found it. I'm running out of time to get this project done and I'm thinking I may have to do something along the lines of writing to a csv file and reading in vb from that. This is a let down because I was sure the Lookout OPC thing was a good tool. Apparently it's a tool that takes too much effort to utilize.

Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Mike@DTSI — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:46:15 GMT

I have had no real issues with the Lookout OPC. You could also try the DDE method
Service: Lookout
Object: Process\Folder\Item

VB6 and VB.Net are slightly different, but is doable.

Re: How do I interface Lookout with Visual Basic?

Steve_McLain — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:45:11 GMT

Thank you. I really appreciate your help. For now, I've decided to utilize the spreadsheet object to produce a csv file with the information I need. When the file comes into existence, my VB notices the existence of the file and extracts everything I need. When it's done, it disposes of the file. For now, that suits my needs. I'll get back into the OPC game later--when I don't have time contraints. Again, thank you.