Using CitectSCADA > Genies and Super Genies > Genies > Using structured tags with Genies

Using structured tags with Genies

When you define a Genie, you can add a prefix or suffix to a Genie property to generate the complete tag when the Genie is used. For example, if you define a Genie property as %tag%_PV, and then use DEV1 for the tag, the Genie will generate the complete tag DEV1_PV.

You can add extra information at the beginning (prefix), or on the end (suffix) of the Genie property, or use both a prefix and suffix in the same Genie property. For example, if you have defined a loop controller with three bar graphs (created using the fill property in a rectangle) to display the tags DEV1_PV, DEV1_SP and DEV1_OP, you can configure a Genie as follows:

Each rectangle has a separate Genie tag:

Level expression

%PV_Tag%

Level expression

%SP_Tag%

Level expression

%OP_Tag%

When you configure the Genie (with the Genie dialog), you have to enter three separate tags: DEV1_PV, DEV1_SP and DEV1_OP. However, if you use structured tags, you can configure the rectangles as follows:

Level expression

%Tag%_PV

Level expression

%Tag%_SP

Level expression

%Tag%_OP

In this case, you only have to enter one tag (DEV1) to generate six objects. The Genie automatically concatenates DEV1 with either _PV, _SP, or _OP, depending on where the tag is substituted. As well as a reduction in configuration time, this Genie is easier to maintain.

Note: The above example illustrates the power of Genies. The more complex and the greater number of objects in a Genie, the greater the advantage of using structured tags. You can also make complex Genies by using multiple variables for a Genie property. For example, %Area%_TIC_%Occ%_PV or any combination of prefix, suffix and number of Genie variables.

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