Libraries and blocks

1 General

The project structure comprises function blocks and structure blocks. Whereas structure blocks are usually defined in the project, function blocks are basically stored in libraries. Only calls are inserted into the project and stored together with the parameters entered.

To expand the functionality, libraries can be loaded, deleted if no longer required and older versions can be replaced by new ones. The required commands are contained in the Project Submenu.

With regard to libraries, a project comprises the following components.


2 Function block libraries

All blocks which are no structure blocks and do not stem from the Standard Library are stored in function block libraries. They include blocks with target functions, parameter and visualization blocks.

These blocks are the foundation to create applications with this development system. All available functions for a project are provided by the blocks from the different function block libraries.

It is possible to create new function bock libraries and therefore expand the functionality of test.con. If you have the need for specific functions, please feel free to contact us. We will give you additional information.

A help file describing the blocks is provided for each function block library. Help files are accessible from the context menus for blocks in the programming system or by pressing the Ctrl+F1 keys.

3 Linked projects

Generated projects may serve as a structure block library. Similar to function block libraries, projects may be loaded, removed and replaced, too. Whenever projects are linked, also the relating libraries (if not yet loaded) are opened and relevant references are stored in the project.

Additionally loaded structure blocks are displayed in the library tree. All macro and program blocks contained are indicated under the name of the project.

These blocks are basically handled as function blocks. When a project is edited, only calls can be inserted and connected with other blocks. Changing of structure blocks is not possible. To initialize instance parameters, preset values stored in the linked project are used. However, parameters can be changed in run mode.

The export and import of structure blocks offers another way to reuse existing algorithms. There the hierarchical structures are directly inserted into the project. After that they can be edited and used without reservations and dependence to other projects.

4 System libraries

System libraries do not contain any blocks; they just contain functions, such as functions for drawing blocks, interrogating system states and performing actions. They are used by function block libraries and, usually, are not visible when working on the project.

By means of the switch REMOVE SYSLIB=ON in the [SYSTEM] section of the main configuration file (ICON.INI) they can be made visible when libraries are removed. Thus, system libraries which are no longer used can be deleted from the project.

5 Standard library

The Standard Library blocks are implemented in the programming system. Hence, they are always available and cannot be removed. The blocks are described in the help section for the library.

6 How to work with libraries

Libraries are searched for file names during loading in the directory of the project and in the selected library directories. Library directories are defined in the configuration file of the project (*.IWS) or in the main configuration file (ICON.INI).

If a library is contained several times in the selected directories, the file found first is loaded.

If a library is not found when a project is loaded, or if it is damaged, loading is cancelled. Then, the project cannot be opened as the complete functionality of the block, such as representation, target code generation and response to certain system events are implemented in the library. For the very same reason, version conflicts may have a similarly strong impact. Interpretation of data in changed libraries may be different or block functions may respond to system events in a different way. Hence, library versions should be identifiable from their names and must only be exchanged by using the command provided to this end.

As already described, there are dependencies between libraries. Such dependencies can be displayed by using the Properties command (refer to the library tree). When a library is loaded, also all other connected libraries are loaded. While a library is used by other libraries, this specific library cannot be deleted or replaced. To this end, the dependency on other libraries must be excluded by deleting or changing the other relevant library.

Recursive dependencies between projects, i.e. loading of a project into another one and vice versa, are not permitted.

The displayed designation and the real file names of libraries do not correspond to each other. Displayed designations can be changed by using commands in the context menus for blocks and libraries in the library tree. They are stored in the configuration files. Dialogs for library operations show the real file names apart from designations.

The file names of libraries and additionally loaded project should not exceed eight characters. The file name stored in the project is restricted to the 8+3 limit known from MS-DOS. If libraries have longer file names, abbreviated names are created by system functions which might be ambiguous if there is more than one directory.

The file names of projects and libraries must not be changed via external programs (such as Windows-Explorer). To rename projects, the Save As command needs to be used. For changing the file name of a function block library, iCon-MFB is required.

7 Configure search paths for block libraries

There is a <project name>.IWS file in the project directory. The IWS file is a text file and corresponds to the conventions of an INI file. In this file, the main project-specific configurations can be made.

In the section [dir]→libraries, the paths to the block libraries are configured.


If possible, enter the paths relatively to the BIN directory of the programming system.