Desktop.DASH Datalogger

November 2012

In the previous section we looked at setting and using Instant Messenger with Desktop.DASH.

In this section we look at using the in-built Data Logger.

Datalogger Setup

Desktop.DASH includes a very simple data logging utility that saves selected fully formatted DataPoint values to a daily CSV text file.

To enable the data logger choose Main Menu > Admin > Options ... select Data-Logging TAB

Datalogger Options

You can use the browse button [ ... ] to specify an output folder other than the default of \MyProject\Data\

How It Works

The data logger works by creating a list of all dashboard controls that are marked for data-logging.

When the dashboard goes into Run Mode a CSV header is generated with all the relevant UserLabel's and the CSV file is created on disc.

On, or around, the prescribed interval the CSV file is appended to with a new line of fully formatted comma separated values.

A new CSV file is created each day on, or around, midnight.

Important Notes

WARNING: If you change the scope of dashboard controls that are marked for data-logging during the day, then restarting the dashboard will result in an out of kilter CSV file!

Your procedure then should be to remove the current CSV file whilst the dashboard is stopped. Then when you re-start the dashboard you get a correctly formatted CSV file.

Any control value can be logged. Formatted values, for example 18.5, binary values, for example 1 and even U Stores, for example, High Temp Boiler #1 - all within the same text file.

Marking A Control

To mark any dashboard control, right-click it and select its Setup properties...

Select Data Log

Check [ ] Data Log to mark this control's formatted value to be added to the data log file.

Log Folders

Sub-folders are automatically created to store ERROR Log files and DATA Log files (although you can choose an alternate location for the latter.)