View Connected Components Workbench As Text File

MIster jashon

6 min read

·

Oct 01, 2024

48

Share

Understanding and Viewing Connected Components Workbench (CCW) Files as Text

Connected Components Workbench (CCW) is a powerful software package from Rockwell Automation used for designing and deploying automation applications, particularly for programmable logic controllers (PLCs). CCW projects often involve intricate configurations and logic, which can be challenging to understand and troubleshoot without proper tools. One helpful approach is to view the project's internal files as text.

Why View CCW Files as Text?

There are several reasons why you might want to view CCW files as text:

• Troubleshooting: When encountering problems with your project, examining the underlying code can reveal errors, inconsistencies, or unexpected configurations.
• Understanding Project Structure: Analyzing the text files can provide insights into the overall organization of your project, the relationships between different components, and the flow of logic.
• Collaboration: Sharing text files of specific components or configurations can facilitate easier communication and collaboration between developers.
• Customization: Understanding the text format allows for potential customization of the project by modifying the files directly.

How to View CCW Files as Text

While CCW doesn't inherently offer direct text viewing of its files, several methods can be employed to achieve this:

1. Using a Text Editor:

• Locate CCW Project Files: CCW projects typically store their files in a directory with an extension like .ACD or .ACD_Project. Within this directory, you'll find various files, including the .xml files.
• Open the .xml files: Use a plain text editor like Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (Mac), or any other text editor of your choice to open the .xml files found within the project directory.
• Analyze the Text: The .xml files contain the project's configuration, logic, and other data in XML format. Examine the structure, tags, and values to gain insights into the project.

2. Decompiling CCW Projects:

• Use a Decompiler: Certain tools can decompile CCW projects, transforming the compiled binary files into human-readable text.
• Decompiled Text: The decompiled output will reveal the underlying code of your project, providing a detailed view of its structure and functionality.

3. Using a CCW Scripting Feature:

• CCW Scripting API: CCW provides scripting capabilities that can be used to manipulate and access project data.
• Write Scripts: You can use the scripting API to write scripts that extract specific information from your project and output it as text files.

Things to Remember:

• File Structure: CCW projects store their data in various file formats, including .xml, .csv, and .bin. The .xml files are particularly valuable for text-based analysis.
• Decompilation Limitations: Decompilation may not always be perfect, and the resulting text might not fully represent the original project.
• Project Changes: Modifying the text files directly can potentially break your project. Always back up your project before making any changes.

Example:

Consider a simple CCW project with a single ladder logic routine. After opening the corresponding .xml file, you might see the following:

  MyRoutine
  
    
      Load Input 1
    
    
      And with Input 2
    
    
      Set Output 1
    
  

This text representation provides a clear understanding of the routine's logic, including the instructions, operands, and comments.

Conclusion

Viewing CCW files as text can be a valuable technique for understanding, troubleshooting, and customizing your automation projects. By utilizing the methods outlined above, you can gain deeper insights into your project's structure and functionality. Remember to exercise caution when modifying the text files directly, and always back up your project before making any changes.