Understanding Disk Files Understanding Disk Files Information used by your Omron Adept controller is stored in files on a Secure Digital (SD) card in the Omron Adept controller. Unlike information stored in RAM, disk files provide permanent storage. However, before the data in the files can be used, it must be loaded into RAM. NOTE : Because they are handled the same way as files stored on a hard disk drive, files stored on an SD card are referred to as disk files. When the ACE interface is used, the Process Manager automates much of the programming and program/file management through a point-and-click interface.
For those who wish to access the eV+ system directly, the Controller Development Tools are used for program/file management and direct V+ monitor prompt operations. These tools are accessed from the Controller Development Tools ( ) icon on the ACE toolbar. For more details, see the topic Controller Development Tools in the ACE User's Guide . The ACE File Explorer provides a graphical interface for copying, deleting, renaming, and storing files. It is accessed from the File Explorer ( ) icon on the ACE toolbar. For more details, see the topic File Explorer in the ACE User's Guide .
The remainder of this topic describes the operations when accessing the V+ system directly through the Monitor window. Disk Files One of the biggest differences between the eV+ system and other operating systems is the nature of a disk file. In most operating systems, a disk file contains a single executable program, text document, or data file. With the eV+ system, a file can contain several items, the most common of which are programs and the values of global variables. The reasons for this file strategy will become clear as later topics discuss the way the eV+ system executes programs, handles subroutines, and stores the values of program variables.
The important thing to remember as you become familiar with the eV+ file structure is that when you load or store a file, you are not necessarily loading or storing a single program. Subdirectories In normal operations, you may wind up with large quantities of files. If you had no way of organizing and isolating related files, your disk drives would quickly become awkward and difficult to use. The eV+ system supports use of a directory structure to help organize and manage disk files. Subdirectories and the directory structure are covered in the next section. eV+Operating System User's Guide, v2.x, 18320-000 Rev A Page 34