Learn about configuration file definitions

Regardless of the source, incoming data is treated as a set of consistently formatted lines, which are referred to as messages. Messages are further split into fields, which are then assigned data types and, if required, formats that describe the layout of the field (for example, for incoming DateTime fields).

Blank lines in the configuration file are ignored. To insert comments, precede text with a single quote (ASCII 39). For example:

'-------------------------------------------------
' Get QUANTITY DETAILS
'-------------------------------------------------

To continue a line, end it with an underscore (ASCII 95). For example:

message1.filter = C1=="Line containing *" And _
C56=="DateTime*"

Note: The maximum line length supported by PI Connector for UFL is 5120 characters.

• FIELD

  Defines and declares data types for the individual fields that receive data.

• MSG

  Defines the types of incoming messages, and assigns a name that is used to define the section where the message is divided.

• Per message sections

  For each message that is defined in the MSG section, the Per message sections filter incoming messages, divide the messages into fields, process the fields, and then write the results to PI tags, PI AF elements, or event frames. These sections can contain processing logic, such as logic that redirects to other sections and skips lines from the input stream.