Understand configuration tools

As pipe_segment and node records have to be linked to each other, with linkage defined using connectivity records, a tool was required to define the initial linkage structure. The primary tool used to define these links is the Batch Tracking Compiler (BTC) application. BTC allows the entire pipeline to be configured as a single operation and error checking to be applied to the linkages to ensure that the connection rules are followed. A pipeline is configured using a single text file, referred to as the BT file, and then BTC is executed as a means to load the pipeline definition into RealTime.

As editing of individual fields using the BTC would require the reload of the entire pipeline, with the loss of any operational data, the Advanced Database Editor (ADE) has records that are available for edit. Any fields that would affect the linkage relationships in the pipeline are not available for edit, and so ADE cannot be used to provide the initial definition of the pipeline. Also note that any edits done through ADE will be lost on any reload of the pipeline through the BTC unless there is a corresponding change made in the BT file.

Since BTC is the primary configuration tool, the configuration description in this document is based on the BTC with the corresponding ADE descriptions included for comparison.