V4 Design: dbdInterfaces

EPICS: dbdInterfaces - IOC Database Description

August 29 2005

---

Overview

This document describes definitions for code that accessses IOC records, i.e. the records created from Database Definitions. The definitions are intended for code that:

• includes header files generated from dbd definitions. Header files are generated from the following dbd definitions:
  • record - Should only be included by record support.
  • struct - Included by code that understands the struct.
  • menu - Included by code that understands the menu.
• does not include the header files.

Syntax

The syntax is defined so that it is easy to provide C++ and Java definitions.

NOTE: Most of the code fragments use C++ syntax.

Primitive Types

• bool - a value that takes the values true or false
• octet - an 8 bit byte
• int16 - a 16 bits signed integer
• int32 - a 32 bit signed integer
• int64 - a 64 bit signed integer
• float32 - a 32 bit IEEE float
• float64 - a 64 bit IEEE float

In Java these types become:

• bool => bool
• octet => byte BUT no arithmetic is implied
• int16 => short
• int32 => int
• int64 => long
• float32 => float
• float64 => double

In C++ these types become:

• bool => bool
• octet => char BUT no arithmetic is implied
• int16 => short
• int32 => int
• int64 => long long
• float32 => float
• float64 => double

NOTES:

• C++ may require something else to handle the integer types
• Exceptions must be defined. TBD

enum, struct, interface, string, array

In adition to the primitive types the syntax uses the terms enum, struct, interface, and array.

enum

An example of an enum is:

    enum LinkDir {
        LinkDirNone,
        LinkDirProcess,
        LinkDirIn,
        LinkDirOut,
        LinkDirInOut
    }

The C++ definition is identical. In Java 5 the definition would be:

    public enum LinkDir {
        LinkDirNone,
        LinkDirProcess,
        LinkDirIn,
        LinkDirOut,
        LinkDirInOut
    };

struct

An example of a struct definition is:

    struct DisplayLimitData {
        float64 low;
        float64 high;
    }

In C++ this would be:

   class DisplayLimitData {
   public:
        double low;
        double high;
    };

In Java this would be:

    class DisplayLimitData {
        public double low;
        public double high;
    }

interface

An example of an interface definition is: (

    interface DbfBool extends Dbf {
        bool get();
        void put(bool val);
    }

In C++ would be:

    class DbfBool : public Dbf {
    public:
        virtual bool get() = 0;
        virtual void put(bool val) = 0;
    };

In Java would be:

    interface DbfBool extends Dbf {
        bool get();
        void put(bool val)
    }

string

All string arguments are assumned to be UTF-8 compatible.

For C++ a string will be a <bold>char *</bold> array containing UTF-8 compatible characters not necessarily terminated with a null character. Wherever a <bold>string</bold> argument appears, the C++ definition will have <bold>len</bold> and <bold>char *</bold> arguments/

For Java string will just be a <bold>String</bold>. It is assumed that Java Strings will be converted to/from UTF-8 byte streams when the data is transfered to/from the network.

An example of a definition that includes a string argument is

    void get(string name);

In C++ this will become

    void get(int lenName, char *name);

In Java this will become

    void get(String name);

array

An example of a definition that includes an array is:

    void get(float64[] data);

In C++ ,this would become:

    void get(int lenData, float64 data[]);

In Java this would be:

    void get(float64[] data);

---

C++ support for strings and arrays

Note that the support described here is not needed for Java since Java already provides facilities

string support

The following interfaces are for allocating tempory storage for strings:

    class NonmutableString {
    public:
       void destroy(); // Call this when done with string
       int32 getLength();
       char data[];
    }
   
    class NonmutableStringFactory {
    public:
        static NonmutableString *create(int32 len,char data[]);
    }

    class MutableString : public NonmutableString {
    public:
       int32 getCapacity();
       void setLength(int32 len);
    }
   
    class MutableStringFactory {
        static MutableString *create(int32 int32 capacity);
    }

These will use free lists to manage the storage for the octet arrays.

array support

This is only needed for C++. Java already provides an analogous facility.

    // ArrayCopy only works on primitive types
    class ArrayCopy {
    public:
        void copy(DbfArray from,DbfArray to);
    }

This only supports primitive types, i.e. DbfBool,...,DbfFloat64.

Arithmetic Type Conversions

    class DbfConvertScalar {
    public:
        static int16 get(Dbf to);
        static int32 get(Dbf to);
        static int64 get(Dbf to);
        static float32 get(Dbf to);
        static float64 get(Dbf to);
        static get(Dbf to, int32 lenValue,const *char value);
        static get(DbfBool to, int32 lenValue,const *char value);
        static put(Dbf from, int16 value);
        static put(Dbf from, int32 value);
        static put(Dbf from, int64 value);
        static put(Dbf from, float32 value);
        static put(Dbf from, float64 value);
        static put(Dbf from,int32 lenValue,const *char value); 
        static put(DbfBool from, int32 lenValue,const *char value);

        static get(DbfArray to, int16 value[]);
        static get(DbfArray to, int32 value[]);
        static get(DbfArray to, int64 value[]);
        static get(DbfArray to, float32 value[]);
        static get(DbfArray to, float64 value[]);
        static put(DbfArray from, int16 value[]);
        static put(DbfArray from, int32 value[]);
        static put(DbfArray from, int64 value[]);
        static put(DbfArray from, float32 value[]);
        static put(DbfArray from, float64 value[]);
    }

NOTES:

• For Dbf to and from must be one of DbfInt16, ..., DbfFloat64
• The get to a string uses printf semantics
• The put from a string value just uses scanf semantics.
• The DbfBool method supports all the choices specified in the DBD Record Instance Specification
• For DbfArray tt>to and from must be an array of one of DbfInt16, ..., DbfFloat64

---

DbfTypes

The following naming conventions are used:

Dbf

any class starting with Dbf describes a field in a generated header file. For example DbfArray describes a field generated from field(name,array(float64[]).

Dbd

A class name starting with Dbd describes something related to dbd definitions. For example DbdLinkSupport describes a dbd link definition.

All Dbf and Dbd definitions are interfaces. Thus all access to data is via interfaces. The IOC database implements the interfaces, with help from record, link, and device support. After initialization data can only be accessed via the interfaces. This allows the database to handle actions like posting database monitors without any help from record, link, or device support.

DbfTypes.h

The following enum definitions describe each field in the header files generated from DBD struct and record definitions.

    enum BasicType {
        BasicTypeBool,     // DbfBool
        BasicTypeOctet,    // DbfOctet
        BasicTypeInt16,    // DbfInt16
        BasicTypeInt32,    // DbfInt32
        BasicTypeInt64,    // DbfInt64
        BasicTypeFloat32,  // DbfFloat32
        BasicTypeFloat64,  // DbfFloat64
        BasicTypeString,   // DbfString
        BasicTypeArray,    // DbfArray
        BasicTypeStruct,   // DbfStruct
    }

    enum DbfType {
        DbfTypeBasic,       // DbfBool,...,DbfStruct
        DbfTypeMenu,        // DbfMenu
        DbfTypeEnum,        // DbfEnum
        DbfTypeLink,        // DbfLink
        DbfTypeDevice,      // DbfDevice
        DbfTypeMDArray,     // DbfMDArray
        DbfTypeTimeStamp    // DbfTimeStamp
    }

Discussion of DbfTypes

The following shows the code generated from DBD files:

structure definitions

If a structure is defined as:

    struct(DisplayLimit) {
        field(low,double)
        field(high,double)
    }

Then the generated C++ header file will be

    class DisplayLimit {
    public:
        DbfFloat64 *low;
        DbfFloat64 *high;
        static int16 lowIndex = 1;
        static int16 highIndex = 2;
        static int16 lastIndex = highIndex;
    };

The generated Java file is

    class DisplayLimit {
        public DbfFloat64 low;
        public DbfFloat64 high;
        public static final int16 lowIndex = 1;
        public static final int16 highIndex = 2;
        public static final int16 lastIndex = indexHigh;
    }

In addition code will be generated that implements the following:

    struct DisplayLimitData {
        float64 low;
        float64 high;
    }
    interface DisplayLimitAccess{
        void get(DbfStruct, DisplayLimitData data);
        void put(DbfStruct, DisplayLimitData data);
    }

record definitions

If a record is defined as:

    record(Example) extends IocRecord {
        ...
        field(fbool,bool)
        field(octet,octet)
        field(fint,int16)
        ...
        field(ffloat,float64)
        field(string,string)
        field(array,array(double[])
        field(mdarray,array(double[,])
        field(menu,menu(name))
        field(fenum,enum)
        field(link,link(in))
        field(device,link(in,analogIO))
        field(displayLimit,struct(DisplayLimit))
    }

Then the generated C++ header file will be

    class IocRecord {
    public:
        RecordInstance *base;
    };

    class ExampleRecord : public IocRecord {
    public:
        DbfBool      *fbool;
        DbfOctet     *octet;
        DbfInt16     *fint;
        ...
        DbfFloat64   *ffloat;
        DbfString    *string;
        DbfArray     *array;
        DbfMDArray   *mdarray;
        DbfMenu      *menu;
        DbfEnum      *fenum;
        DbfLink      *link;
        DbfDevice    *device;
        DbfStruct    *displayLimit;
        static int16 baseIndex = 1;
        static int16 fboolIndex = 2;
        ...
        static int16 lastIndex = displayLimitIndex;
    };

The generated Java file is

    class IocRecord {
        public RecordInstance base;
    }
    class ExampleRecord extends IocRecord {
        public DbfBool      fbool;
        public DbfOctet     ctet;
        public DbfInt16     fint;
        ...
        public DbfFloat64   ffloat;
        public DbfString    string;
        public DbfArray     array;
        public DbfMDArray   mdarray;
        public DbfMenu      menu;
        public DbfEnum      fenum;
        public DbfLink      link;
        public DbfDevice    device;
        public DbfStruct    displayLimit;
        public static final int16 baseIndex = 1;
        public static final int16 fboolIndex = 2;
        ...
        public static final int16 lastIndex = displayLimitIndex;
    }

---

Database Fields

Each database field is accessed via an interface which all extend the following interface:

    interface Dbf{
        bool isPrimitive(); // BasicTypeBool,...,BasicTypeFloat64
        bool isBasic();
        BasicType getBasicType();
        RecordInstance getRecord();
        int16 getIndex();
    }

The interfaces are designed as follows:

• DbAccess provides storage for fields and never exposes the address of any field.
• DbAccess posts monitors when a field is modified.

The fact the each field is an object means that additional storage is required. DbAccess will probably have something like the following:

   class Field {
   public:
       RecordInstance &instance;
       short             index;
   };
   ...
   class IntField : public Field {
   public:
       int data;
   }
   ...

This each field has the overhead of

• instance - a reference to RecordInstance
• index - a 16 bit integer
• vtbl - a reference to the class implementation

An additional pointer field will be needed for things like monitors. This field can start out null and only have additional storage as needed.

Primitive Types

DbfOctet, ..., DbfFloat64 are all interfaces with methods get and put.

    interface DbfBool extends Dbf {
        bool get();
        void put(bool val);
    }
   
    interface DbfOctet extends Dbf {
        octet get();
        void put(octet val);
    }
   
    interface DbfInt16 extends Dbf {
        int16 get();
        void put(int16 val);
    }
   
    interface DbfInt32 extends Dbf {
        int32 get();
        void put(int32 val);
    }
   
    interface DbfInt64 extends Dbf {
        int64 get();
        void put(int64 val);
    }
   
    interface DbfFloat32 extends Dbf {
        float32 get();
        void put(float32 val);
    }
   
    interface DbfFloat64 extends Dbf {
        float64 get();
        void put(float64 val);
    }

Record support code can access such fields via the generated header file. Some examples are:

    ExampleRecord *precord;
    short myint;
    ...
    precord->ffloat->put(10.0);
    ...
    myint = precord->fint->get();

Code that does not include the generated header file can access these fields via the introspecion interfaces described later in this document. For example code that expects a float64 field can access it via

    char *name = "recordname.value";
    int32 len = strlen(name);
    DbdAddr *pDbdAddr;
    DbfFloat64 *pfield;
    ...
    
    pDbdAddr = pLocateInstance->getPV(len,name);
    if(!pDbdAddr || (pDbdAddr->getType != DbfTypeFloat64)) // do SOMETHING
    pfield = dynamic_cast<DbfFloat64 *>pDbdAddr->getAddr();
    pfield->put(10.0);

Instead of the last three lines, DbfConvert could be called.

    pDbfConvert->put(pDbdAddr->getAddr,10.0);
    

String fields

The interface for a string field is:

    interface DbfString extends Dbf {
       int32 getLength();
       void get(string value);
       void setPutSize(int32 size);
       void put(string value);
    }

In C++ remember that this interface becomes:

    class DbfString : public Dbf {
        int getLength();
        void get(int lenValue,char value[]);
        void setPutSize(int size);
        void put(int lenValue,char value[]);
    };

The following code prints a string.

    ExampleRecord *precord;
    epicsInt32 len = precord->string->getLength();
    MutableString *pstring = pMutableStringFactory->create(len);
    ...
    precord->string->get(len,pstring->data);
    printf("%.*s\n",len,pstring->data);
    pstring->destroy();

Code that does not include the header file can use the introspection methods to locate the DbfString that provides access to the field.

NOTES:

• Does record support have to have any say in how DbAccess manages storage for strings? I don't think so.

Structure Fields

    interface DbfStruct extends Dbf {
        int16 getNfields();
        Dbf getInterface(int16 index);
        DbdField getDescription(int16 index);
    }

The following traverses the fields of a DbfStruct

    DbfStruct *pDbfStruct;
    MutableString *pMutableString;
    
    for(i=0; t< pDbfStruct->getNfields(); i++) {
        DbdField *pDbdField = pDbfStruct->getDescription(i);
        int len = pDbdField->getNameLength();
        MutableString *pname = pMutableStringFactory->create(len);
        pDbdField->getName(len,pname);
        DbfType type = pDbdField->getType();
        printf("field %s type %d\n",pname->data,type);
        pname->destroy();
    }

Structure fields can only be accessed via introspection. However, for each structure, code is generated that does the introspection. For example DisplayLimitData can be obtained via the statements:

    ExampleRecord *precord;
    DisplayLimitData limits;
    
    ...
    pDisplayLimitAccess->get(precord->displayLimit,limits);
    printf("low %f high %f\n",limits.low,limits.high);

Array Fields

    interface DbfArray extends Dbf {
       DbfType getType();
       int32 getNelements();
       void setNelements(int32 len);
    }

    interface DbfOctetArray extends DbfArray {
       int32 get(int32 offset, int32 len, octet[] pto);
       int32 put(int32 offset, int32 len, octet[] pfrom);
    }

    interface DbfBoolArray extends DbfArray {
       int32 get(int32 offset, int32 len, bool[] pto);
       int32 put(int32 offset, int32 len, bool[] pfrom);
    }

    interface DbfInt16Array extends DbfArray {
       int32 get(int32 offset, int32 len, int16[] pto);
       int32 put(int32 offset, int32 len, int16[] pfrom);
    }

    interface DbfInt32Array extends DbfArray {
       int32 get(int32 offset, int32 len, int32[] pto);
       int32 put(int32 offset, int32 len, int32[] pfrom);
    }

    interface DbfInt64Array extends DbfArray {
       int32 get(int32 offset, int32 len, int64[] pto);
       int32 put(int32 offset, int32 len, int64[] pfrom);
    }

    interface DbfFloat32Array extends DbfArray {
       int32 get(int32 offset, int32 len, float32[] pto);
       int32 put(int32 offset, int32 len, float32[] pfrom);
    }

    interface DbfFloat64Array extends DbfArray {
       int32 get(int32 offset, int32 len, float64[] pto);
       int32 put(int32 offset, int32 len, float64[] pfrom);
    }

    interface DbfStringArray extends DbfArray {
        DbfString getInterface(int32 index);
    }

    interface DbfArrayArray extends DbfArray {
        DbfArray getInterface(int32 index);
    }

    interface DbfStructArray extends DbfArray {
        DbfStruct getInterface(int32 index);
    }

The following puts data into a float64 field.

    ExampleRecord *precord;
    float64 *pdata; // assume this has been allocated somehow
    int32   nelements; // this is number of elements
    DbfFloat64Array *parray = dynamic_cast<DbfFloat64Array *>precord->array;
    ...
    parray->put(0,nelements,pdata);

NOTES:

• It must be possible for support to provide an implementation of get and put. It must be possible to do this in segments. For example
  • A circular buffer requires two segments
  • If the memory is in hardware, the support can read/write the data in segments. Transient recorders are an example.
• If support implements get and put then DbAccess does NOT manage storage but just calls support to get/put data.

DbfMDArray

NOT YET DEFINED

DbfMenu

DbfMenu is described as:

    interface DbfMenu extends Dbf {
        int16 getIndex();
        void putIndex(int16 val);
        DbdMenu getDbdMenu();
    }

DbfMenu allows the menu index to be set and retrieved and also provides access to the DbdMenu.

A DbfMenu field can be accessed via the generated header file or via the introspection methods.

DbfEnum

DbfEnum is described as:

    interface DbfEnum extends Dbf {
        int16 getIndex();
        void putIndex(int16 val);
        DbfStringArray getChoiceArray();
    }

DbfEnum allows the enum index to be set and retrieved and also provides access to the The DbfArray field that contains the choices.

DbfLink and DbfDevice

DbfLink is described as

    enum LinkDir {
        LinkDirNone,
        LinkDirProcess,
        LinkDirIn,
        LinkDirOut,
        LinkDirInOut
    }
   
    interface DbfLink extends Dbf {
        LinkDir getDir();
        DbdLink getDbdLink();
        LinkSupport getSupport();
    }
   
    interface DbfDevice extends Dbf {
        LinkDir getDir();
        DbdDevice getDbdDevice();
        Support support; // Support is base class for device support
    }

See below for the description of support, which included record, link, and device support.

DbfTimeStamp

    struct TimeStamp {
        int64 secondsSinceEpoch;
        int32 nanoSeconds;
    }

    interface DbfTimeStamp extends Dbf {
        void get(TimeStamp timeStamp);
        void put(TimeStamp timeStamp);
    }

---

DbdStatements

These describe everything defined in database definition files.

In the definitions:

DbdMenu

    interface DbdMenu {
        int32 getNameLength();
        void getName(string name);
        int16 getNchoices();
        int32 getChoiceLength(int16 index);
        void getChoice(int16 index,string choice);
    }

DbdLink and DbdDevice

    interface DbdSupport {
        LinkDir getDir();
        int32 getChoiceNameLength();
        void getChoiceName(string name);
        int32 getSupportNameLength();
        void getSupportName(string name);
        int32 getDataStructNameLength();
        void getDataStructName(string name);
    }
   
    interface DbdLink extends DbdSupport{
        LinkSupport create(DbfLink link);
    }
   
    interface DbdDevice extends DbdSupport{
        int32 getInterfaceNameLength();
        void getInterfaceName(string name);
        Support  create(DbfDevice device);
    }
   

DbdStruct and DbdRecord

    interface DbdAttribute {
        int32 getDefaultLength();
        void getDefault(string value);
        bool isReadonly();
        bool isDesign();
        bool isSpecial();
        int16 getAsl();
    }
   
    interface DbdDefaults {}
   
    interface DbdArrayDefaults extends DbdDefaults{
        DbfType getType();
        int32 getLength();

    interface DbdStructDefaults extends DbdDefaults{
        DbdStruct getDescription();
    }

    interface DbdField {
        int32 getNameLength();
        void getName(string name);
        DbfType getType();
        DbdDefaults getDefaults();
        DbdAttribute getAttributes();
    }

    interface DbdStruct {
        int32 getNameLength();
        void getName(string name);
        int16 getNumberFields();
        DbdField getFieldDescription(int16 index);
        DbdStructLifetime getLifetime();
    }

    interrface DbdRecord {
        // Need list of instances
        int32 getNameLength();
        void getName(string name);
        int16 getNumberFields();
        DbdField getFieldDescription(int16 index);
        DbdRecordSupport getSupport();
        DbdRecordLifetime getLifetime();
    }

    interface DbdLocate
        DbdMenu getMenu(string name);
        DbdLink getLink(string name);
        DbdDevice getDevice(string name);
        DbdStruct getStruct(string name);
        DbdRecord getRecord(string name);
    }

---

Run Time Interfaces

Record Instance

    interface RecordAccess {
        RecordSupport getRecordSupport();
        Dbf &getField(string name);
    }

    interface RecordInstance {
        int32 getNameLength();
        void getName(string name);
        DbdRecord getDescription();
        RecordAccess getRecordAccess();
        DbdRecord getIocRecordDescription();
        RecordAccess getIocRecordAccess();
    }

    interface DbdAddr {
        void    destroy();  // call this when done with DbAddr
        DbfType getType();
        RecordInstance getInstance();
        int16 getIndex();
        void  getField(string name);
    }

    class LocateInstance{
        DbdAddr getPV(string name);
        DbdAddr getPV(string recordName, string fieldName);
        DbdAddr getPV(RecordInstance instance, string fieldName);
        DbdAddr getPV(RecordInstance instance,int16 field);
        DbdAddr getIocRecordPV(RecordInstance instance, string fieldName);
        DbdAddr getIocRecordPV(RecordInstance instance,int16 field);
    }

Record, Link, Device Support

Registration and Instance Creation

    interface RegisterSupport {
        link(SupportFactory support,string name);
        device(SupportFactory support,string name);
        record(SupportFactory support,string name);
    }

    interface SupportFactory {
        Support create(Dbf field);
    }

RegisterSupport is implemented by iocCore. Each support implementation must register a "factory" for creating new instances to attach to database records (record support) or to database fields (link and device support). During database initialization, iocCore cxalls the factory methods.

Link/Device Base

    interface Support { // base for Link and Device support
        void report(int16 level);
        void destroy();
        void initialize();
        void connect();
        void disconnect();
    }

Support is the base class for all link and device support. An instance of this is connected to each DbfLink or DbfDevice field. The methods are:

• report - report
• destroy - This is called if the field is being changed after initialization or if the record is being removed.
• initialize - Called to initialize a link.
• connect - Called to connect. Note that this is different than initilization.
• disconnect - disconnect.

Link Support

    interface Callback {
        void done();
        void timedout();
    }

    interface LinkSupport extends Support {
        void get(Dbf field);
        void getWait(Dbf field, double timeout,Callback callback);
        void put(Dbf field);
        void putWait(Dbf field, double timeout,Callback callback);
        void process();
        void processWait(double timeout,Callback callback);
    }

LinkSupport supports the following semantics:

• Input Link from another record
  • get current value independent of processing state.
  • Ask the record to process and wait for completion before fetching value.
  • wait until next time record processes then get value. No request is made to process the record.
• Output Link to another record
  • put value without requesting that record be processed.
  • put value then process record but don't wait for processing to complete.
  • put value, process record, and wait for completion
• process link to another record
  • request processing but do not wait for completion
  • request processing and wait for completion

Device Support

Other than that it must extend Support, nothing is defined for Device support in this document. It will be modeled after the V3 asynDriver support.

Record Support

   // Each record type implements RecordFactory
    interface RecordFactory {
        RecordAccess create(RecordInstance instance);
        void destroy(RecordAccess access);
    }

    enum processState {
        processIdle,
        processInputActive,
        processActive,
        processOutputActive,
        processDone
    }

    interface RecordSupport {
        void destroy();
        void initialize(int32 pass);
        processState process(processState state);
        // if special returns false when after is false put fails
        bool special(bool after,Dbf[] field);
    }

Database Access

    class DbAccess {
        void process(RecordInstance instance);
    }

---