VTS combines complex capabilities and features aimed towards 3 groups of people: operators, developers, and programmers. Each of these groups will interact with VTS in the way best suited for their purposes through one or more of:
• The VTS operator interface;
• The VTS developer interface; and
• The VTS programmer interface.
Each of these 3 interfaces can be defined as follows:
VTS Operator Interface
The VTS operator interface allows operators to interact with the equipment making up their physical monitoring and control system, using a visual interface and basic point-and-click commands. VTS developers create the operator interface displays when developing VTS applications.
The operator interface does not have a special or separate environment from that of the VTS developer interface; rather the distinction between the two can be made in the mode in which they run. The operator interface runs in "operation mode", exchanging data between the VTS application and the associated system equipment, informing operators of the mode and/or status of the equipment visually, and enabling operators to monitor and control the equipment based on the level of security that has been granted to them.
Unlike the VTS developer interface, the operation interface does not allow operators access to modify the structure or developmental features of the application. The operator interface and concepts significant to operators are discussed in the VTS Operator's Guide.
VTS Developer Interface
The VTS developer interface enables VTS developers to create operator interfaces for specific monitoring and control systems using drag-and-drop development tools and fill-in-the-blank database configuration. One of the purposes of this Getting Started with VTS guide and its tutorial is to orient you to the VTS developer interface.
The VTS developer interface does not differ in appearance from the operator interface, however it provides the means to create the applications used by operators.
The VTS developer interface runs in "design mode", giving you full access to the application development and configuration tools, and the features and services required to build operator interfaces from the ground up.
While you are creating your operator interfaces, you can easily switch between operation and design modes, so that you can both build and test the application.
As a VTS developer, your role requires that you have a clear understanding of both standard and advanced features of VTS, but does not necessarily require knowledge of programming or the VTS scripting language; these are the realm of the VTS programmer.
Introductory information for VTS developers is provided in this Getting Started with VTS guide, while more advanced information and references are provided in the VTS Developer's Guide.
VTS Programmer Interface
The VTS programmer interface gives VTS programmers the ability to augment the software by adding new tools and customized features using the powerful, object-oriented VTS scripting language. The details of VTS scripting language and its features are addressed in the VTS Programmer's Guide.