Preface : What this guide covers
What this guide covers
What is covered
This guide defines the VWorks software interfaces, methods, and enumerated types needed to create VWorks plugins for third-party devices. This guide also explains how to use the IWorksTest utility for debugging and testing plugins.
What is not covered
This guide does not provide instructions for using VWorks software. It is assumed that the developer is already familiar with VWorks software features and functionality, including the user interface. More information about VWorks software is available in the VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide and the VWorks Automation Control User Guide.
Software version
This guide documents the interfaces used to develop plugins for VWorks software version 11.
What’s new in this revision
 
Feature and description
See
The descriptions of IWorks Device Driver and VWorks Hooks interfaces were combined into a single guide.
 
The “Writing XML metadata for IWorks software” chapter was deleted and most of its contents were moved to the “GetMetaData method” section of the “IWorksDriver interface” chapter. The title of the “VHooks software interface reference” chapter was changed to “IVHooks interface,” and the document was otherwise reorganized.
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IWorksDriver “GetMetaData method”
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“IVHooks interface”
A summary of all VWorks Plugin interfaces was added to the “Introduction” chapter.
“Introduction” on page 1
Some terminology was changed and other existing terminology has been defined.
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“XML metadata terminology” on page 5
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“IVHooks interface methods output”
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“Methods Terminology”
Eight interfaces were added.
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“IBCRDriver interface”
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“IIODriver interface”
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“ILabelerDriver interface”
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“ILiddingDriver interface”
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“IMeasurementDriver interface”
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“ISpinDriver interface”
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“IWorksAsyncDriver interface”
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“IWorksDiags interface”
One existing interface has been reserved for internal use.
“IPipetteDriver interface”
One method was added to the IWorksDriver interface.
“IWorksDriver interface”
Seven methods were added to the IRobotDriver interface.
“IRobotDriver interface”
One method was added to the IStackerDriver interface.
“IStackerDriver interface”
Three methods were added to the IWorksController interface, seven categories were added for the Query method and one is obsolete, and six categories were added for the Update method and one is reserved for internal use.
“IWorksController interface”
One enumerated type was added.
“Enumerations”
Twelve methods are obsolete, two methods are deprecated, and one method is reserved for internal use.
“Obsolete, deprecated, and reserved for internal use methods”
Related guides
The VWorks Plugin Developer Guide should be used in conjunction with:
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VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide
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VWorks Automation Control User Guide
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Agilent Technologies device user guides
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Third-party device user documents