To extend program functionality, we implemented plugin modules. The module structure lets you to reduce your program size and purchase costs (you pay only functionality, which you need).
Log Monitor & Export supports a few types of modules (fig. 15 - 17):
•Data parser - the data parser allows you to parse, filter, and format data from your data sources. Some of the advanced features of the parser are the ability to work with raw binary or hex data.
•Data filter - data filters allow you to filter your data and modify a value of parser variables.
•Data export (fig. 17) - Log Monitor & Export has many modules and method for passing data to other applications, for example, there are modules for various databases, file formats (CSV, XML), data interfaces (OPC, DDE, MQTT), and many others.
•Events handling (fig. 18) - these plugins are used to handle events generated by the Log Monitor & Export software. Once an event occurs (for example, "Data source is opened" or "Configuration changed"), the plugin creates a text message using the specified template, sends a notification, does some actions, executes a program or a script, etc. The form of the notification or actions depends on the plugin settings.
Fig. 15. Activating plugins
Fig. 16. Activating data export plugins
Fig. 17. Activating events handling plugins
Installation
You can easily install a new module. Usually, you should start the installation file and click the "Next" button for a few times. The installation wizard will detect a place of your Log Monitor & Export software and place a plugin module and all distributive files to the "Plugins" folder, which is in the program folder (by default X:\\Program Files\Log Monitor & Export\Plugins).
After the program restart, a module will be loaded and initialized. If the module is supported by our software, the module name will appear in the modules list. Most modules require additional settings. If you want to configure the plugin module, click the "Setup" button near it. If you selected the module and the "Setup" button is not active, then the module doesn't have additional settings and can work without additional settings. Please, read a user's manual of the corresponding plugin for additional information.
Configuration steps
1.Select and configure a query module. You may use a module of this type if you need to send some data to your device (for example, initialization strings or request strings).
2.Select and configure a parser module. This step is necessary because filter and export modules can use parsed data only. If you didn't select the parser module, then you can't configure the data filter and data export modules.
3.Activate and configure data export modules. You can select one or more modules simultaneously. The program will use selected modules simultaneously. Please, note, the program can' use the data export module, if you didn't configure the parser module.
4.Activate and configure event modules. You can select one or more modules simultaneously.