Page History

Children Display

depth	1
style	h3
excerptType	simple

Introduction to the Runtime

Image ModifiedThe Runtime Environment is the active stage where a Solution starts and operates. , executing real-time data acquisition, scripts, alarms, and all configured modules to deliver the application's functionality.

Parent Page: Solution Lifecycle (Reference)

Overview

Executing a Solution, or starting the Runtime, involves:

Loading all functional modules for execution
Acquiring and processing data and updating visual displays
Performing all tasks based on the Solution's configuration

When the Runtime Environment loads the module's configuration

. Some

, settings

,

such as network addresses and database connections

,

can be applied according to the execution profile. Profiles enable the same solution configuration to interface with various databases and devices, accommodating different phases of the solution

life cycle, such as

lifecycle (Development, Validation,

or

Production).

On this page:

Table of Contents

maxLevel	3
minLevel	2
style	none

Image Removed

Key Concepts

Term	Definition
Runtime	The

Key Concepts and Terms

The purpose of the Runtime Environment is to actively operate configured solutions, executing real-time data acquisition, scripts, alarms, and all items from all modules. It represents the essential final phase of solution development, delivering the application's functionality.

Runtime

The term "Runtime" or "Runtime Environment" refers to the

execution environment when the solution is running, distinguishing it from the Configuration

(or Engineering, or Development)

phase.

"Runtime" also

Also denotes the software components and

computer

processes

that are

in execution

when the solution is started.

Execution Profile

An Execution Profile consists of settings that allow

Settings allowing customization of database connections and device network addresses

. This enables the management of

for different environments

.

Online Configuration

This feature allows real

Real-time modifications to a running solution without stopping

its

execution

. Users can adapt the solution to changing requirements, enhancing flexibility and responsiveness.

Hot Updates/Hot Reload

Hot Updates are a subset

Subset of online configurations

that allow the application of

allowing offline solution changes without disrupting

the

runtime

environment. They maintain solution stability and prevent downtime, ensuring the solution remains up-to-date with the latest changes.

Build and Publish

The Build process involves compiling the solution code. The Publish process creates a

Compilation of solution code and creation of read-only

version of the solution for distribution in regulated sites.

versions for regulated deployment

Runtime Architecture

Understanding the Runtime Environment

Real-Time In-Memory Database

When the solution

is in execution

executes, variables like Tags, Templates, and Assets are loaded into

the memory. These variables act

memory, acting as a central

point of reference, allowing other functional modules to request or publish values as they perform their functions. The computer process and executable responsible for maintaining the real-time database is TServer.exe. This application

reference point for all functional modules.

???????????????????????????????????????????????
?            TServer.exe Process              ?
???????????????????????????????????????????????
?         Real-Time Database                  ?
?    • Tags, Templates, Assets                ?
?    • Current Values & Quality               ?
?    • Microsecond Updates                    ?
???????????????????????????????????????????????
?         Module Connections                  ?
?    • Devices → Tag Updates                  ?
?    • Scripts → Processing                   ?
?    • Clients → Data Access                  ?
???????????????????????????????????????????????

The computer process TServer.exe maintains the real-time database and can run as a Windows Service or be deployed to Linux and other supported operating systems.

Image Removed

Startup Procedure

→ For details on the startup procedure review the Runtime Startup (Reference) page.

→ For details on setting up the execution review the Solution Deployment page.

1. Launching TStartup.exe

Loads the

Solutions

Solution
Reads

the

Solution Configuration
Parses Command Line Parameters
Activates

the

Main Process TServer.exe

2. Starting the Real-Time Database

TServer.exe starts by loading solution objects, tags, templates, and assets into

the

memory. A communication service is established, allowing other modules to start and connect.

3. Modules Startup

The other modules, such as

Other modules (Historian, Alarms, Devices, Scripts, Datasets,

and

Reports

, then

) start

their

execution by reading

the

solution configuration and establishing

a

connection with the main process.

4. Applying Execution Profiles

As the modules start, they

Modules behave according to

the definitions in the Execution Profiles. For instance, in Development mode, a temporary

Execution Profile definitions. For example:

Development: Temporary local SQLite database

might be used

for alarm records

, while in Production mode, the

Production: Alarm Database

is

automatically mapped to

a

SQL server

5. Solution Designer Automatic Connection

The Solution

Designer automatically connects to

the

running solution, enabling

users to monitor progress

monitoring,

make

adjustments, and

troubleshoot issues as needed using the

troubleshooting via Monitor and Diagnostics pages.

6. Opening Client-Side Displays

Operations displays

, using

(HTML5

from any browser

or

high-performance WPF graphics pages,

WPF) can be opened from any remote computer connected to the server.

7. Applying Online Changes and Hot Updates

During execution, the system

System can apply

online

configuration changes and

hot

updates without disrupting

the runtime environment. This capability allows users to adapt the solution to changing requirements while

runtime, maintaining high

system

availability

.

Configuring the Runtime Environment

When developing a software solution, maintaining stability and preventing interference between various stages and components is crucial. To ensure the configuration and development aspects do not negatively impact the solution's runtime environment, use "Configuration and Runtime Process Isolation."

The Configuration Process involves setting up parameters, profiles, and other settings that define how the solution should operate.

Isolating these processes allows developers to modify configurations and test new features without disrupting the running solution, defining how the solution should opportunity depending on the Execution Profile you are running.

Runtime Configurations

Runtime Startup

The Runtime Startup section allows you to Start and Stop the execution of the Solution, specify the Execution Profile you want to use, and customize all settings connected within that execution.

The settings defined here are also applied when the Startup is executed by the StartSolution command line, or starting the solution as a Windows Server. This section focuses on the various settings you have available and starting and stopping manually.

→ Read more about Runtime Startup (Reference).

Execution Profiles

Execution Profiles enable distinct configurations for a single project, facilitating a seamless and swift transition between devices and databases.

Development, Validation, and Production are the scenarios in which the solution must operate over its lifecycle. Occasionally, these scenarios may overlap, posing risks to the entire operational environment. In this version, we introduce an intuitive method to separate these stages, enhancing both security and reliability.

→ Read more about Runtime Execution Profiles (Reference).

Build and Publish

The software platform offers support to manage solution versions, allowing the creation of a read-only version and a published version. The Build feature compiles the solution's displays and scripts for final verification before deployment in production. It ensures complete verification of an application's scripts in preparation for production. The Publish command generates a read-only protected version of a solution ready for field deployment. This command produces a new Solution file ("

.

dbsln") with the chosen version number. The Published Solutions (".dbrun") mirror the current solution but are accessible only in read-only mode, offering a secure backup of published applications.→ Read more about Build and Publish.

Runtime

Diagnostics

This page provides a comprehensive guide on how to use diagnostic tools for project applications. These tools include the Property Watch, Trace Window, and Module Information, which offer insights into the status and operation of different modules within your application.

Property Watch is a tool designed to access and modify the system's tags and internal properties. With an Intellisense feature, it also provides a list of available objects related to a specific object type.

→ Read more about Runtime Diagnostics.

Server And Client Namespaces

There are a few runtime objects that provide information about running the solution.

Namespaces

Info Namespace

Main location for runtime status

The Info namespace is the main location for the runtime status. The main objects on the namespace are

:

Info.Solution: information about the solution- thatInformation isabout running solution
Info.License:    information about- theLicense licenseinformation
Info.Module:      - Module information and start/stop command to Modulescommands
Info.Trace(): displays a     - Display message on the TraceWindow
Info.TestMode: shows    - Shows if the solution is running in Test Mode

The Server namespace has information

Server Namespace

Information about the server computer running the solution.

The Client namespace has information

Client Namespace

Information about each client

compute that runs a graphical interface. See Namespaces for the complete programming reference on runtime objects.

Working with the Runtime

Starting and Stopping the Solution Execution

To start the solution execution, you need to launch the application or server, depending on the solution type. It is essential to monitor the system for any errors or issues during startup, as they may prevent the application from running correctly.

To stop the solution execution, you can use the appropriate command or interface provided by the runtime environment or the application itself. Make sure to shut down the application to avoid data loss or corruption.

To start the solution in production mode:

Go to Runtime / Startup.
Click the Run Startup button

Applying Configuration Changes

Configuration changes can be applied to the runtime environment to modify the behavior of the application. These changes can include modifying settings, adding or removing modules, or adjusting resource allocation. To apply configuration changes, follow these steps:

Identify the configuration file or settings for your application.
Modify the configuration settings as needed.

Restart the application or reload the configuration to apply the changes, depending on the capabilities of the runtime environment.

computer running a graphical interface.

Configuration Components

Component	Purpose	Documentation
Runtime Startup	Start/stop execution, profile selection	Runtime Startup (Reference)
Execution Profiles	Environment-specific configurations	Runtime Execution Profiles (Reference)
Build and Publish	Compilation and deployment	Runtime Build and Publish (Reference)
Runtime Diagnostics	Property Watch, Trace Window, Module Info	Runtime Diagnostics (Reference)
System Monitor	Runtime status and metrics	Runtime System Monitor (Reference)

Process Isolation

Configuration and Runtime Process Isolation ensures development doesn't impact production:

Process	Activities	Isolation Method
Configuration	Setting parameters, profiles	Separate environment
Runtime	Active execution	Protected instance
Development	Testing features	Different profile

Working with Runtime

Starting Solution Execution

Go to Runtime → Startup
Select appropriate Execution Profile
Click Run Startup button
Monitor for errors during startup

Stopping Solution Execution

Use appropriate shutdown method to avoid data loss:

Designer: Click Stop button
Service: Stop Windows service
Command line: Use shutdown command

Applying Configuration Changes

Identify configuration file or settings
Modify settings as needed
Either:
- Restart application (offline changes)
- Use Online Configuration (hot updates)

Child Pages

Configuration Interface:

Runtime Designer UI (Reference) - Designer runtime pages
- Runtime Startup
- Execution Profiles
- Build and Publish
- System Monitor
- Runtime Diagnostics

Architecture:

Runtime Engine (Reference) - TServer components and architecture

Support:

Runtime Troubleshooting (Reference) - Best practices and issue resolution

Best Practices and Troubleshooting

Best Practices for "Runtime Isolation"

Use Separate Environments: Using separate environments for development, testing, and production allows working on solution configurations and features without affecting the runtime environment. Changes made during development are not reflected in the runtime environment until they have been tested and deployed.
Use Containers: Technologies like Docker enable developers to create isolated containers for different parts of the solution. This approach ensures that modifications in one container do not impact the runtime environment in other containers.
Use Version Control: Implementing version control helps manage solution configurations and code changes. This method allows developers to experiment with configurations, roll back to previous versions, and track changes without affecting the runtime environment.
Use Access Control: Access control mechanisms restrict modifications to the runtime environment and configuration settings. This ensures that only authorized personnel can make changes, reducing the risk of accidental disruptions or unauthorized access.

Runtime issues can occur during the execution of the application, such as crashes, performance problems, or unexpected behavior.

Troubleshooting Runtime Issues

Review the application logs for any error messages or warnings.
Use debugging tools to inspect the state of the application at runtime.
Monitor system resources, such as CPU, memory, and disk usage, to identify potential bottlenecks or resource constraints.
Consult the documentation or support resources for known issues and solutions.
Make sure you're using appropriate execution profiles for different stages of the development lifecycle.
Apply configuration changes carefully, always testing before deploying to production.
Document any custom configurations or modifications for future reference.
Keep the runtime environment up to date with security patches and software updates.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Performance bottlenecks: Slow solution execution can be caused by a variety of factors, such as inefficient code or inadequate hardware resources. To resolve this issue, optimize your code, allocate more resources, or employ parallel processing techniques.

Configuration errors: Incorrect settings in the solution configuration can lead to unexpected behavior or failure. Review your configuration files, verify the parameters, and ensure they adhere to the documentation.

Runtime environment mismatch: Incompatibilities between development and production environments may cause issues during runtime. To address this, ensure that all dependencies are consistent across environments and use containers or virtual machines for environment isolation.

Module conflicts: Conflicts between modules can lead to unexpected behavior or crashes. To resolve this, check for duplicate or outdated modules and ensure that your modules are compatible with each other.

Database connectivity issues: Problems connecting to the real-time database can be caused by network issues, incorrect credentials, or misconfigured database settings. Verify the database connection settings, ensure the database server is accessible, and check the credentials.

Client-side display errors: Issues with client-side displays can stem from incompatible browser versions, outdated JavaScript libraries, or improperly configured display settings. To fix this, ensure your solution supports the target browser versions, update your libraries, and double-check display settings.

Hot updates not applied: If hot updates are not being applied correctly, confirm that your solution is configured to accept online changes and verify the update mechanism is functioning as expected.

Build and publish failures: Errors during build and publish processes may be due to incorrect settings, code issues, or dependency problems. Review the build and publish configuration, fix any code issues, and ensure all dependencies are resolved.

In this section:

Page Tree

root	V10:@self
spaces	V10

Page tree

Page History

Versions Compared

Old Version 9

New Version Current

Key

Introduction to the Runtime

Overview

Key Concepts

Key Concepts and Terms

Runtime Architecture

Real-Time In-Memory Database

Startup Procedure

1. Launching TStartup.exe

2.

Starting the Real-Time Database

3. Modules Startup

4. Applying Execution Profiles

5.

Solution Designer Automatic Connection

6. Opening Client-Side Displays

7. Applying Online Changes and Hot Updates

Configuring the Runtime Environment

Runtime Configurations

Runtime Startup

Execution Profiles

Build and Publish

Runtime

Server And Client Namespaces

Namespaces

Info Namespace

Server Namespace

Client Namespace

Working with the Runtime

Applying Configuration Changes

Configuration Components

Process Isolation

Working with Runtime

Starting Solution Execution

Stopping Solution Execution

Applying Configuration Changes

Child Pages

See Also

Best Practices and Troubleshooting