I am facing a dilemma with extracting barcode data in a comma delimited format. How can I efficiently separate the values between the commas and store them in a new string? I have attempted using functions like MID and string concatenation, but it seems like a challenging task.
How many commas should I use and what language, vendor, and model should I consider?
The selection of the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) you use is crucial to determining how data will be processed. It's important to consider the capabilities of any Human Machine Interface (HMI) with scripting functions, as it may offer more advanced string handling options compared to the PLC's programming language. This can be beneficial for parsing data effectively and efficiently.
My CompactLogix system, equipped with Studio 5000 software, contains approximately 8-9 commas within a string. To facilitate the transmission of data for sizing dimensions throughout the manufacturing process, I need to extract this information through the PLC.
Research some of the classic Quick Basic string functions and then transform them into structured text to create an Add-On Instruction (AOI) that can separate a string into an array of strings. I have experience with this in the past, but it was in an earlier version (version 16) and I no longer have access to the program. One Quick Basic subroutine that may be helpful is one that breaks a string into individual words based on specified separator characters. To use this subroutine, you would pass the original string (x$), the separator characters (sep$), and an empty array (a$()) to store the resulting words. The subroutine would then loop through the string, identifying and storing each word in the array until there are no more words to retrieve. This process would ensure that the original string is effectively parsed and organized into separate elements within the array.
In my setup with a compact Logix system running Studio 5000, I am working with a string containing multiple commas. To efficiently extract and transmit data for size dimensions throughout the process, I need to access the data through the PLC. The string will have a specific length (S.LEN) and consist of characters within an array of SINTs named S.DATA[0..N]. This allows for the implementation of logic to search for commas using the FAL instruction (SINT array element value of ASCII code 44), or the FSC instruction. While the process may involve some complexities related to 0-based arithmetic, these intricate details can potentially be concealed within an AOI. It should be noted that the MID instruction may have limitations, as its Quantity and Start parameters are restricted to immediate tags rather than dynamic inputs.
You might want to consider using the `split()` function, a nifty little function in programming that can really simplify your task. It's designed exactly for situations like this, it will split a string into an array of substrings based on a specified delimiter (in your case, a comma). After splitting your string, you can then store the substrings into new strings as needed. Just ensure to trim any white space which sometimes accompanies the data and can throw off results. Different programming language might have slight variations in how this function is used, so please specify your programming language for a more precise advice.
It sounds like you're on the right track, but if MID and string concatenation are getting tricky, you might want to try using a combination of the SPLIT function and a loop to handle the comma-separated values more efficiently. Depending on your programming environment, using SPLIT can directly break down the string into an array, making it easier to manipulate each element as needed. Once you've done that, you can join the pieces back together with your desired formatting! If you're using a language like Python, for instance, it could look something like this: `data = "value1,value2,value3".split(",")`. This way, it might simplify the extraction process for you.
✅ Work Order Management
✅ Asset Tracking
✅ Preventive Maintenance
✅ Inspection Report
We have received your information. We will share Schedule Demo details on your Mail Id.
Answer: 1. How can I efficiently extract barcode data from a comma delimited format? - To efficiently extract barcode data from a comma delimited format, you can utilize string manipulation functions like MID and split the values between the commas to store them in a new string.
Answer: - Techniques such as using string manipulation functions like MID, splitting the string based on commas, and utilizing string concatenation can help in efficiently separating values between commas in a comma delimited format.
Answer: - If you find extracting barcode data challenging, consider breaking down the problem into smaller steps, exploring different string manipulation functions, and experimenting with different techniques until you find one that suits your requirements.
Join hundreds of satisfied customers who have transformed their maintenance processes.
Sign up today and start optimizing your workflow.