Managing programs
13.14 EXTCALL
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Operating Manual, 01/2015, 6FC5398-8CP40-5BA2
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The EXTCALL command can be used to access files on a local drive, USB data carriers or
network drives from a part program.
The programmer can set the source directory with the setting data SD $SC42700
EXT_PROG_PATH and then specify the file name of the subprogram to be loaded with the
EXTCALL command.
The following supplementary conditions must be taken into account with EXTCALL calls:
● You can only call files with the MPF or SPF extension via EXTCALL from a network drive.
● The files and paths must comply with the NCK naming conventions (max. 25 characters
for the name, 3 characters for the identifier).
● A program is found on a network drive with the EXTCALL command if
– with SD $SC42700 EXT_PROG_PATH the search path refers to the network drive or
a directory contained on the network drive. The program must be stored directly on
that level, no subdirectories are searched.
– without SD $SC42700 the correct location of the program is specified in the EXTCALL
call itself by means of a fully qualified path that can also point to a subdirectory of the
network drive.
● For programs that were generated on external storage media (Windows system) observe
upper- and lower-case syntax.
Note
Maximum path length for EXTCALL
The path length must not exceed 112 characters. The path comprises the contents of the
setting data (SD $SC42700) and the path data for EXTCALL call from the part program.
Examples of EXTCALL calls
The setting data can be used to perform a targeted search for the program.
● Call of USB drive on TCU (USB storage device on interface X203), if SD42700 is empty:
e.g. EXTCALL "//TCU/TCU1 /X203 ,1/TEST.SPF"
- OR -
Call of USB drive on TCU (USB storage device on interface X203), if SD42700
"//TCU/TCU1 /X203 ,1" contains: EXTCALL "TEST.SPF"
● Call of the USB front connection (USB-FlashDrive), if SD $SC 42700 is empty: e.g.
EXTCALL "//ACTTCU/FRONT,1/TEST.SPF"
- OR -
Call of USB front connection (USB-FlashDrive), if SD42700 "//ACTTCU/FRONT,1"
contains: EXTCALL "TEST.SPF"