Work with SQL databases from InTouch

A database stores information in tables that share a common attribute or field. Structured Query Language (SQL) is the language you use to access that information in the form of a query. SQL Access Manager allows you to access, modify, create, and delete database tables with queries.

SQL Access Manager is an optional program that can be installed with InTouch. SQL Access Manager allows you to:

• Create and run complex queries. These queries can be built dynamically or saved in external files. Additionally, these queries can contain parameters that are passed to the query at run time.

• Run SQL statements supported by your database and retrieve the results from the query. You can also use stored procedures with SQL Access Manager, although not all stored procedure functions are fully supported.

SQL functions can be automatically inserted into InTouch QuickScripts by selecting on the Add-ons button within the QuickScript editor dialog. The SQL function is automatically inserted into the script at the current cursor position.

You can use SQL Access Manager to transfer data, such as batch recipes from a SQL database to an InTouch application. SQL Access Manager can also be used to transfer run-time data, alarm status, or historical data from InTouch to a database. For example, after a machine cycle is completed, a company wants to save several sets of data, each for a different application. SQL databases provide the ability for information to be transferred between one or more third-party applications easily. SQL Access Manager allows this data to be accessed and displayed in any InTouch application.

SQL Access Manager consists of a program and a set of SQL functions. The SQL Access Manager program creates and associates database columns with InTouch tags. The process of associating database columns and InTouch database tags is called binding. Binding the InTouch database tags to database columns allows SQL Access Manager to directly manipulate InTouch data stored in a database.

SQL Access Manager saves the database field names and their associations in a comma-separated variable file named SQL.DEF. This file resides in the InTouch application folder and can be viewed or modified using SQL Access Manager or any text editor, such as Notepad. SQL Access Manager also creates Table Templates that define the structure and format of the database used with InTouch.

SQL functions can be used in scripts to automatically run based on operator input, a tag value changing, or when a particular set of conditions exist. These functions allow you to select, modify, insert, or delete records in the tables you choose to access. For example, if an alarm condition exists, the application can run a script that includes the SQLInsert() or SQLUpdate() functions that save all of the applicable data points and the state of the alarm.