The EPICS based control system of the ISAC radioactive beam facility uses the CapFast schematic editor to construct the IOC function-block databases. This allows a self-documenting graphical representation of the IOC software using a hierarchical, object-like software structure with reusable components. On the other hand, the control system is quarterbacked by a relational database, which contains all device information. Using database reports and Perl scripts, a device instantiation method was developed which generates top-level schematic files in CapFast format. This method exploits the advantages of device data entry and reporting using a relational database system while maintaining the graphical representation of the IOC database.
Cite
@article{arxiv.physics/0111048,
title = {Generating EPICS IOC Databases from a Relational Database - a Different Approach},
author = {Rolf Keitel},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0111048},
year = {2007}
}