Anyone recognize this script(ing) or language?

TurboPT · #1 25-Oct-2007, 13:48

Although the file has "PPG Script" at the top, I can't seem to find anything that remotely resembles the scripting/code, below, via Google -- so that I can gain a better understanding about various portions that aren't real obvious.

Any ideas? [unless it's proprietary, or I didn't search for the right stuff]

Code:

/* PPG Script Program : FILE.SCR @ 5 5 2 2 100 25 80 38 "Arial" -11 A00 3 */
Declarations (
    REG "Default Register".128,
    REG "Input Size Register".128,
    REG "System Date".128,
    REG "System Time".128,
...
    TEMPLATE "LOCTION TEMPLATE" (
        "ITEM",
        "LOCATION" ),
    TEMPLATE "System Time Template" (
        "Hours",
        "Separator",
        "Minutes",
        "Separator",
        "Seconds" ),
...
Frame "MAIN"(  /* 120 150 */
    /* Entry "2/-LOC"( 65 110 
        Branch(Menu "OPTIONS" ) ) */ 
    /* Exit "1/+LOC"( 805 185 ) */ 
    /* Exit "IRECEIVE"( 65 160 28 150 28 300 ) */ 
    /* Exit "2/-LOC"( 805 245 ) */ 
...
    Menu "OPTIONS" , Menu "OPTIONS" ) ),
...
    Display "USERID"( /* 400 285 */
        Source(NOLITERAL ,NOLITERAL ,NOLITERAL ,LITERAL "F4=EXIT"),
        Special(),
        Destination(),
        Branch(Copy "getUserID1" ) ),
    Input "ID"( /* 495 285 */
        Source(WAND|KEYBOARD|FUNCTIONKEY|SERIAL),
        Special(REG "Input Size Register",OVERWRITE,Show(Row(1),Column(0),Clear(80))),
        Destination(REGFIELD "ITEM QUAN REGISTER"."COMBINE".3/*ID*/),
        Branch(Verify "USER" , Verify "USER" , Verify "F4" , Verify "USER" ) ),
...
    Verify "MODE1"( /* 700 185 */
        Source(REG "MODEFLAG"),
        Special(NUMERIC,LITERAL "1"),
        Destination(),
        Branch(Frame "1/+LOC" , Verify "MODE2" ) ),
    Copy "IN TRANS"( /* 305 285 */
        Source(LITERAL "PI"),
        Special(),
        Destination(REGFIELD "ITEM QUAN REGISTER"."COMBINE".1/*TRANS*/),
        Branch(Display "USERID" ) ),
    Call "DEFSITE2"( /* 595 235 */
        Source(),
        Special(),
        Destination(),
        Branch(Subroutine "VER SITEFLAG", Verify "OUT" ) ),

basic1952 · #2 14-Mar-2008, 07:55

I am also trying to find out more about this code. I am learning to write apps for the PT2000 scanners we have at work. I found a person in Oregon who does contract work in his spare time for the PPG enabled scanners. Even though he worked for Percon many years, even he does not know the origin of this code. He uses the standard development tools that came with the scanner (PPG,PAL,etc.). He has found that he can usually fill any need without trying to write at that level (which even he knows nothing about).
I found your post via Google and decided to register and reply to see if you
had any luck finding more about it.

TurboPT · #3 14-Mar-2008, 11:08

Nope. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find out anything new, but since it is Percon related (yes, the PT2000 scanner), it must be proprietary to them.

Have you found that scanner to be pretty 'flaky'? That has been my experience, at least. (depending on the config files loaded, it easily runs out of memory during scans, plus other "quirks and issues")

Thanks for responding!

basic1952 · #4 14-Mar-2008, 12:15

I work for a small company. It's just myself and my 'boss' in the "IS" department. We have been using the PT2000's for many years but only a few very basic data input programs. For the first time in 10 years or more are we looking at some new uses. We have been very happy with the units overall. Yes, there have been rare events when they just crap out and we have to reload the program but it has been a minor inconvience. We've considered buying a different system but we are sticking with the PT2000 for now. We just purchased 2 more to go along with the expanded use we are planning. Both of us are trying to get a grip on using the "simple non-programming" tools (PPG,PAL) to see if we can create our own program. We are trying to get more advanced than our current programs that use the scanner as just an electronic notepad. Data is just input and then uploaded to our linux box and we have apps there to use the input to update inventory files. We would like to do some validation/verification on the scanner as the info is entered on the plant floor.
My boss has just been on the phone with DataLogic (the current owner of the Percon legacy) demanding documentation beyond what we have. It seems there must be something on the background code that we want to understand better. He hopes to hear back from someone at DataLogic.
Am I correct in asumming that you have actually created some code for the scanner using PPG? If so, would you mind if we 'pick your brain' when we are baffled by what to do next? For example, is there somewhere to view all the available frames and nodes that could be used in creating a flowchart? Any help would be greatly appreciated and we may reach a point where we could help you with some tricks we discover while experimenting with PPG.

TurboPT · #5 14-Mar-2008, 22:55

No I haven't created any code for the unit, yet, for I looked at the two sources we have, and I just don't understand much of what's there. I can probably figure it out though, I just haven't devoted a whole block of time to "hacking it"

I haven't look at this PPG for about 6 month's. [note the first post's date]

What little "parts and pieces" that I have been able to trace, for example, in the code from the first post: (note that where I used the '...' implies missing blocks of code), that I don't have available at the moment, but anyway, this is a very small example (and you may know this already)...

Code:

Frame "MAIN"(  /* 120 150 */
    /* Entry "2/-LOC"( 65 110 
        Branch(Menu "OPTIONS" ) ) */ 
    /* Exit "1/+LOC"( 805 185 ) */ 
    /* Exit "IRECEIVE"( 65 160 28 150 28 300 ) */ 
    /* Exit "2/-LOC"( 805 245 ) */ 
...
    Menu "OPTIONS" , Menu "OPTIONS" ) ),

main branch()es to Menu "OPTIONS"

Code:

    Display "USERID"( /* 400 285 */
        Source(NOLITERAL ,NOLITERAL ,NOLITERAL ,LITERAL "F4=EXIT"),
        Special(),
        Destination(),
        Branch(Copy "getUserID1" ) ),

I believe the unit does this first before scans...
1. note that Source(), input from F4 key, so this option can be exited.
2. no Special()/Destination() settings, although these might have defaults(?)
3. there is a branch() to Copy "getUserID1", located elsewhere in the file

Code:

    Input "ID"( /* 495 285 */
        Source(WAND|KEYBOARD|FUNCTIONKEY|SERIAL),
        Special(REG "Input Size Register",OVERWRITE,Show(Row(1),Column(0),Clear(80))),
        Destination(REGFIELD "ITEM QUAN REGISTER"."COMBINE".3/*ID*/),
        Branch(Verify "USER" , Verify "USER" , Verify "F4" , Verify "USER" ) ),

this appears to take the User's ID input (but not 100% sure)
1. Source() has four possible input points
2. Special() has three arguments:
2.a. the "Input Size Register" REGister, defined at the top of the file
2.b. OVERWRITE, appears to be a mode (or constant, perhaps?)
2.c. a three-arg, Show() call with row(1) [the next row after the USERID prompt ?], column(0), clear(the line)
3. Destination() goes out to another REGFIELD
4. Branch() goes to a 'Verify', which appears to be "USER", or "F4"

...and so on... That's kind of how I've followed some of the flow.

So it does appear that the 'Verify "xxxx"' areas could do some validating, but I can't say specifically how these are used without tracing some more.

I like the idea of sharing knowledge/information, but I don't have much more to offer from this end at the moment.

However, I did notice that they [PSC/Percon] does offer a PPG manual, here, and it costs about $26.

Also, I did find a forum for PT2000 related information, "tricks and tips" and such, and that was over a year ago, but there was not any PPG stuff there, more about unit usability. If you would like a link to that, I'll see if it's still out there somewhere. [I believe that is was in the site of the current manufacturer]

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Anyone recognize this script(ing) or language?

Re: Anyone recognize this script(ing) or language?

Re: Anyone recognize this script(ing) or language?

Re: Anyone recognize this script(ing) or language?

Re: Anyone recognize this script(ing) or language?