The scripting feature in the ezeio allows the user to implement advanced custom logic and control functionality on the ezeio. For most common applications, scripting is not necessary.

The ezeio uses a powerful script language called PAWN. The syntax is very similar to JavaScript, and should be easily understood by anyone working with programming in similar languages.

The scripting feature of the ezeio is intended for those with previous experience in programming. This manual does not attempt to teach you to write programs. If you have a specific feature that you need help with, please contact eze System.

We strongly recommend reading the following documents to get introduced to the PAWN language:

Introduction to PAWN

PAWN language guide

When working with ezeio scripts, you will edit your code on the userscript screen. When clicking “Commit”, the script is compiled on the servers, and automatically downloaded into the ezeio, where it will start to run as soon as the download completes.

Only one user defined script can run at the same time, but the editor allows you to have multiple scripts saved on the servers, and easily switch between them. The currently running script is marked with a checkmark.

If a script fails to compile due to a syntax error, the script will not be sent to the ezeio. If a previous version of the script, or a different script, was running, this will continue to run.

The user script can occupy up to 128kB code (compiled bytecode), and up to 16kB RAM.

The estimated requirements for a script is displayed when compiling.

Although the user script runs in a sandboxed runtime engine, the recommended programming pattern is similar to cooperative multitasking.

This means that you should avoid long-running loops, and instead make use of system callbacks provided in the function library.

The following system callback functions are defined:

A common programming pattern in control applications is to use state machines. PAWN and the ezeio implements strong support for state machines. The following is a typical pattern showing the startup sequence of an engine. Note that there are three @Tick handlers; one for each state. Also note the “entry” and “exit” functions. For more detail, refer to the PAWN language guide.

  new count = 0;
 
  main()
  {
    SetTickInterval(100);   // set tick interval to 100ms (0.1s)
    state WAITING;          // start in the waiting mode
  }
 
  @Tick(uptime) <WAITING>
  {
     if( GetField(1) < 100 )  // condition to start up the process
        state IGNITION;
  }
 
// ***** the IGNITION state
 
  entry() <IGNITION>
  {
     SetOutput(1, 100);       // Turn on the ignition switch
     count = 0;
  }
 
  @Tick(uptime) <IGNITION>
  {
     if( GetField(2) > 100 )  // Did the engine start?
        state RUNNING;        // yes - we're running
 
     if(count++ > 50)
        state WAITING;        // didn't start in 5s? Give up and go back to waiting.
  }
 
  exit() <IGNITION>
  {
     SetOutput(1, 0);         // Turn the ignition switch off
  }
 
// ***** the RUNNING state
 
  @Tick(uptime) <RUNNING>
  {
     if( GetField(2) < 100 )  // Check if the engine stopped
        state WAITING;        // ..go back to waiting
  }