The Sequencer

The Sequencer is used to create, manage and control workflows. Workflows are made of sequences/sub-sequences, which hold a list of actions each. All sequences and resource files belonging to a project get organized in a project folder called workspace.

For the complete list of actions, see List of Action Types.

Tip: To get started, have a look at the Sequencer Tutorial

Sequencer Window

If the Sequencer is not visible choose View=>Sequencer.

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Sequencer Window: Workspace Area

Each workspace is a simple folder on the disc containing a folder Sequences in which the sequence configurations are stored. There are quick accesses in the Sequencer to this folder so its recommended to store project resources in this folder as well. This will also simplify the sharing of the application to others by forwarding this single folder.

Opening existing workspaces or creating new ones is done by pressing the “Switch” button:

../../_images/sequencer-switchWS-en.png

Switch to a workspace by pressing “Browse…” or selecting a recently opened workspace. To create a new workspace, enter the new workspace name (resulting folder name) and press “Create…”. Choose the parent folder for the new workspace in the upcoming dialog.

Press the button with the folder icon to quickly access the current workspace folder.

When modifying a sequence or action, the “SAVE” button gets enabled. It will save all sequence configurations to the “Sequences” folder in the workspace.

Sequencer Window: Sequence Area

The Sequence area shows the selected sequence of the Workspace area. The “Run” button executes the sequence. Enable/disable actions of the sequence by clicking the checkboxes.

A purple checkbox signals the active Condition feature of the action, the action/subsequence will not run in any case. A organge “Loop” stripe signals the active MultiRun feature of the action, the action/subsequence will run 0-n times.

You can quickly execute a single action of the sequence by double-clicking it.

Sequencer Window: Action Area

The Action area shows the selected action of the Sequence area. The “Run” button executes the action. Press the settings button to rename the action or to make the action running under condition or in a loop.

For more information about actions, see Sequencer Actions.

Runtime Values

Runtime Values are simple internally stored Name/Value pairs to provide parameters and to control the flow of sequences. You can read/write them at many places, including the ability to control the workflow from external software. They also provide the opportunity to exchange data among actions. You can see the current state of the Runtime Values by pressing the “RV” button in the Workspace area:

../../_images/sequencer-popupRV-en.png

Places you can write Runtime Values:

  • Action “Set Runtime Values”
  • Action “Browse for file”, holding the selected path
  • Action “Snippet” with the “Clear RV’s” or “Log RV’s” functionality
  • Parameters from external software by using the command line parameter /rv
  • In the MultiRun feature of an action to provide the current list element
  • In Uniscript, using Seq_SetRuntimeValue

Places you can read Runtime Values:

  • Definition of files and folders in actions
../../_images/sequencer-RVusage-en.png
  • In the Condition of an action to dynamically enable/disable the action
  • In the MultiRun feature of an action to create a batch process
  • In Uniscript, using Seq_GetRuntimeValue

Automation of UniPlot using the Sequencer

You can parametrize and automatically run a sequence after the Startup of Uniplot using the parameters /seq, /ws and /rv in a command line.

  • /seq: Name of the sequence to run after startup
  • /ws: (optional) Workspace containing the sequence
  • /rv: (optional) List of Runtime Values to control the sequence

Example of a .bat file:

C:\Uniplot\uniplot.exe /ws "D:\Workspaces\COP Evaluation" /seq "COP Main" /rv "DATAPATH = D:\Datafiles\MyFile.csv, MAKE_PDF_EXPORT = 1" /automation

The parameter /ws will switch the Workspace temporarily and switch it back to the last active Workspace after the execution.

You can add the Action “Snippet” with “Shutdown” functionality at the end of your sequence to close Uniplot after the execution.

Add the parameter /automation to run UniPlot windowless.

Paths should end with the folder name without the trailing backslash.

Correct: "D:\Workspaces\COP Evaluation"
Incorrect: "D:\Workspaces\COP Evaluation\"

Controlling the Sequencer using Uniscript in a “Script” action

To get more familiar with writing script actions, run the “Mini-Tutorial” in the Example Workspace.

Here is a collection of important functions to communicate with the Sequencer:

Seq_SetRuntimeValue

Seq_SetRuntimeValue("DATAPATH", "C:\MyFile.csv")

(Creates and) sets the value of a Runtime Value.

Seq_GetRuntimeValue

Seq_GetRuntimeValue("DATAPATH")

Receives the value of a Runtime Value.

Seq_GetWorkspacePath

Seq_GetWorkspacePath()

Receives the path to the current workspace folder.

Seq_AbortSequence

Seq_AbortSequence(bShowAbortDialog)

Aborts the sequence execution after running the script. Shows a notification dialog if bShowAbortDialog is 1.

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