Talk:Synthesis API Reference/Notes: Difference between revisions

From ReliaWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
(Replaced content with '=DRAFT=')
 
(5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Template:API}}
=DRAFT=
=DRAFT for 10.4=
The Synthesis Platform’s ''Application Programming Interface'' (API) enables you to programmatically read and write data to Synthesis repositories, as well as analyze and plot data sets from external sources. It is provided for Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and .NET applications, allowing you to create automated solutions using popular Microsoft Office applications, such as Excel and PowerPoint, or create custom applications for your organization.
 
Implementing the Synthesis API allows you to connect data in Synthesis repositories with the systems and tools used within your organization. It provides the functionality to:
 
*'''Transfer and synchronize data via XML'''
:Use XML files to manage structured data (such as system hierarchies/BOMs, incidents and work orders) between ReliaSoft’s [http://xfracas.reliasoft.com/ XFRACAS] and a variety of different PLMs, ERPs, CMMS and other external systems. You can also use XML files to create reliability block diagrams (RBDs) in [http://blocksim.reliasoft.com/ BlockSim].
*'''Read/write specific data elements'''
:Read or write data to Synthesis resources (models, actions, URDs, etc.), system hierarchy items and FMEA records (causes, effects, failures, etc.). Initiate batch data processing and create custom solutions for importing/exporting data from Synthesis repositories, as well as load data into the Synthesis Data Warehouse (SDW).
*'''Obtain calculated results'''
:Read data from published Synthesis models and obtain calculated results such as reliability, probability of failure, BX% life, failure rate and mean time.
*'''Analyze data'''
:Use [http://weibull.reliasoft.com/ Weibull++'s] or [http://alta.reliasoft.com/ ALTA’s] analysis and plotting engines to analyze data from third-party sources, and incorporate the functionality into your own custom applications. (Requires a Synthesis API license.)
 
==Prerequisites==
The Synthesis API consists of a library file that contains the classes, methods and events that provide access to Synthesis applications. For VBA, you will use the '''SynthesisAPI.tlb''' file; for .NET, you will use the '''SynthesisAPI.dll''' file.
 
To access these files, you must have the latest version of the Synthesis Platform installed and activated on your computer. The files are located in the folder where the Synthesis application is installed. By default, this folder is at "C:\Program Files\ReliaSoft\Synthesis 10". (For Version 9, it is "C:\Program Files\ReliaSoft\Synthesis 9".)
 
If you plan to run API applications on a Windows server, you’ll need to run the Synthesis API Ante Service in order to allow multiple clients to share access to the API (the service is not required when running the API locally). The API Service may be installed on the server or on a different machine. For instructions on how to install and configure the service, see http://www.synthesisplatform.net/synthesis_ap_ante_service.htm.
 
===Installing the Latest Version of Synthesis===
Choose '''File > Help > Check for Updates''' or download the latest version at http://www.ReliaSoft.com/synthesis/downloads.htm.
 
Note that for VBA, the bit version (32- vs. 64-bit) of the Synthesis Platform that you've installed must match your installed version of Microsoft Office. If they do not match, you may see an error related to ActiveX controls. (See [http://www.reliasoft.com/support/rs20024.htm ReliaSoft KB article RS20024].)
 
===Using the Synthesis API Library Files===
To use the classes, methods and events in the Synthesis API object library, you must reference the library file to a project.
 
To reference the library in VBA:
#Enter the VBA environment by clicking the '''Visual Basic''' command on the Developer tab (If the Developer tab is not visible, see [https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb608625.aspx this Microsoft article]).
#In the VBA environment, choose '''Tools > References'''.
#Click '''Browse''' and find the SynthesisAPI.tlb file on your computer. Click '''OK'''.
 
To reference the library in Visual Studio:
#In the Solution Explorer, right-click the '''References''' node and choose '''Add References'''.
#In the Reference Manager window, click the '''Browse''' tab and find the SynthesisAPI.dll file on your computer. Click '''OK'''.
 
:In addition, you must copy the following files from the Synthesis installation folder to your target folder (e.g., bin/Debug or bin/Release Folder).
 
:*licncr.dll
:*licncr.dll.nsign
:*licshr.dll
:*licshr.dll.nsign
:*libeay32.dll
:*msvcp110.dll
:*msvcr110.dll
:*RSLM8nCodeDotNetWrapper.dll
:*utlibr.dll
 
==Getting Started==
 
===Tutorials===
[[API Tutorials|Tutorials]] are available to help you learn the core objects of the Synthesis API and start coding right away. The tutorials include code samples for both VBA and VB.NET.
 
===Examples===
Sample applications that you can test and tweak yourself are included with the Synthesis Platform installation. The files are stored on your computer at C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\ReliaSoft\Examples10\API. (For Version 9, see C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\ReliaSoft\Examples\API.)
The sample applications are available for Excel VBA and VB.NET projects. (To run the Excel examples, macros must be enabled. See [http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/enable-or-disable-macros-in-office-documents-HA010031071.aspx this Microsoft article].)
 
==Object Library ==
The Synthesis API is designed to closely follow the user interface of Synthesis desktop applications. For example, there is a class for every type of Synthesis resource and every type of FMEA record; there’s a class to represent a Weibull++ folio, and a class to represent the analysis settings that you might find in the folio’s control panel.
 
Below is a summary of the core objects in the Synthesis API library. For an alphabetical listing of all classes and enumerations, see [[API Reference Documentation]].
 
*The <code>'''[[Repository Class|Repository]]'''</code> object represents the Synthesis repository. All other objects use the functions in this class to read or write data to the repository. This class also contains the functions for importing/exporting XML files.
 
*The following objects represent the Synthesis resources. Instances of each class can be used to store data for an existing or new resource. 
**<code>'''[[CAction Class|cAction]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[CCorrectiveTask Class|cCorrectiveTask]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[CScheduledTask Class|cScheduledTask]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[CCrew Class|cCrew]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[CModel Class|cModel]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[CPool Class|cPool]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[CURD Class|cURD]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[CVariable Class|cVariable]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[CXfmeaControl Class|cXfmeaControl]]'''</code>
 
*The following objects build data sets for the Synthesis Data Warehouse (SDW).
**<code>'''[[RawData Class|RawData]]'''</code> represents a single data point.
**<code>'''[[RawDataSet Class|RawDataSet]]'''</code> serves as the data container for <code>RawData</code> objects.
 
*The <code>'''[[XfmeaItem Class|XfmeaItem]]'''</code> object represents a system hierarchy item. Instances of this class can be used to store data for a system or assembly, as well as build a multi-level system configuration.
 
*The following objects represent the FMEA records. Instances of each class can be used to store data for an existing or new FMEA analysis.
**<code>'''[[XfmeaFunction Class|XfmeaFunction]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[XfmeaCause Class|XfmeaCause]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[XfmeaEffect Class|XfmeaEffect]]'''</code>
**<code>'''[[XfmeaFailure Class|XfmeaFailure]]'''</code>
 
*The <code>'''[[WeibullDataSet Class|WeibullDataSet]]'''</code> object represents a Weibull++ data sheet for life data analysis. Instances of this class are used define a data set and fit a statistical distribution to the data.
 
*The <code>'''[[ALTADataSet Class|ALTADataSet]]'''</code> object represents an ALTA data sheet for accelerated life testing data analysis. Instances of this class are used to define a data set, and fit a distribution and life-stress relationship to the data.
 
*The <code>'''[[WAPlots Class|WAPlots]]'''</code> object represents a plot based on a <code>cModel</code>, <code>WeibullDataSet</code> or <code>ALTADataSet</code> object. Instances of this class are used to display a plot of the analysis results.

Latest revision as of 21:14, 30 March 2017

DRAFT