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= Introduction = | = Introduction = | ||
If you have been using Cumulus 1, and now wonder whether to try using MX, be aware that: | |||
*Currently, more people are still using Cumulus 1 than are using MX; but during 2020, many have experimented with MX, then successfully moved to MX, just a few have gone back! | |||
*Cumulus 1 is a stable release, it has functionality that is not available in MX: | |||
**Select a graph | |||
**View period | |||
**provided you are happy to keep running Cumulus 1 on a Windows pc, and use a weather station that is compatible with Cumulus 1, then you don't have to change over | |||
*Cumulus MX is still under development, a change in a particular release may introduce bugs | |||
*MX does however have additional features not available in Cumulus 1 | |||
**it can run on Unix-derived (Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi operating systems) devices as well as Windows devices | |||
**it can work with newer weather stations and newer sensors | |||
**it reports feels like, Canadian Humidity Index | |||
**it has built in updating of database tables | |||
**it can output to more external sites | |||
**it has MQTT, HTTP, and other extras, built in | |||
Please see [[Moving from Cumulus 1 to MX]] for more information. | |||
== What does Cumulus MX do? == | == What does Cumulus MX do? == | ||
If you are new to Cumulus, then you will be wondering what benefits Cumulus MX has over other weather recording software. In that case start by reading [[About Cumulus|the article that introduces Cumulus]]. | |||
You may want to read that article first, that that will explain what Cumulus software can do and perhaps help you to: | You may want to read that article first, that that will explain what Cumulus software can do and perhaps help you to: | ||
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== This article == | == This article == | ||
This Wiki article was originally exactly what Steve Loft said in the [https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=39 MX early builds support forum] when he first started experimenting with Cumulus MX and access was restricted to those willing to experiment with his tests. | This Wiki article was originally created by Mark Crossley and contained exactly what Steve Loft said in the [https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=39 MX early builds support forum] when he first started experimenting with Cumulus MX and access was restricted to those willing to experiment with his tests. | ||
In this rewrite, I | In this rewrite, somebody who used to use Cumulus 1, and experimented with MX, before moving over to MX first on a Windows PC and then on a Raspeberry Pi, has attempted to ensure this article contains everything I learnt from my experience as I explore more of the functionality of MX; and as I learn more from posts in the forum. | ||
If you can correct | If you can correct any mistakes I make, have a suggestion as to how to make it clearer, can add anything I have not yet covered, or know something that I might not know, then please remember, anyone can update this article, I don't have any special access in the Wiki and any page I edit can be edited/corrected by anyone else. | ||
During a period of my time in employment I was responsible for approving documentation on a large computerisation project, and later for supplying updated information for a public faced web site, and in both cases there were house style, and I probably continue to use that style. | During a period of my time in employment I was responsible for approving documentation on a large computerisation project, and later for supplying updated information for a public faced web site, and in both cases there were house style, and I probably continue to use that style. You might be afraid to add your contribution because my style is not the same as your natural one. Don't worry; as long as you use short paragraphs or bullet points, with lots of headings, then your contribution can blend in. | ||
As this article has grown, I have been able to shorten it by moving material to new articles, hence you will see a lot of cross-references below. You may have suggestions for what else can be moved out of this article into separate articles? | |||
If you have some ideas, but are unsure whether to apply changes, please use the discussion page first. If you have ideas, but want someone else to add them here, please write your suggestion in the support forum for wiki suggestions at https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=38 | |||
= Cumulus flavours = | = Cumulus flavours = | ||
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=== Cross reference to article on [[Moving from Cumulus 1 to MX]] (includes general issues regarding running on Windows) === | === Cross reference to article on [[Moving from Cumulus 1 to MX]] (includes general issues regarding running on Windows) === | ||
You may be reading this article on MX as a Cumulus 1 user considering moving to MX, if so then | Whether you have been using Cumulus 1, or are new to Cumulus, you may be tempted to install MX on a PC, or other device, running Windows Operating System; the article linked in the heading will help you. | ||
You may be reading this article on MX as a Cumulus 1 user considering moving to MX, if so then it explains all issues when moving from Cumulus 1 to MX, including what functionality you will gain and what you will lose by moving to MX. The article will help you to decide whether to stick with Cumulus 1's stable release as many MX releases have bugs as the developer tries revising the code, to simplify it, as well as to introduce new features. | |||
As a new Cumulus user, using MX on Windows (but with no experience of Cumulus 1), the separate article linked from the heading to this section will still interest you as it is a definitive guide to installing Cumulus MX on Windows. | |||
=== Cross reference to article on [[Setting up Raspberry Pi]] for Cumulus === | |||
Whether you have been using Cumulus 1, or are new to Cumulus, you may be tempted to install MX on a Raspberry Pi. A Raspberry Pi (and similar devices from other manufacturers) is much simpler than a normal computer, but it can still run various operating systems that allow you to use it perhaps for both running MX and a web server. Find out more in the article linked in the heading. | |||
=== Cross reference to article on [[Updating MX to new version]] === | === Cross reference to article on [[Updating MX to new version]] === | ||
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In writing this update, I have drawn on my own experience of moving from Cumulus 1 to MX, and thus my knowledge of Cumulus is from over a decade of experience with this software and what it can do. | In writing this update, I have drawn on my own experience of moving from Cumulus 1 to MX, and thus my knowledge of Cumulus is from over a decade of experience with this software and what it can do. | ||
Before I swapped, I made a detailed study to check MX could do all I used to do with Cumulus 1 and much more. Before I add items to this article I play around with MX experimenting with what works and what does not work, but I have saved you the pain of where I went wrong, just telling you what is correct. I do need to add, that I don't have a separate testing environment, and therefore I am not willing to attempt anything that might muck up my collecting of weather information, plus | Before I swapped, I made a detailed study to check MX could do all I used to do with Cumulus 1 and much more. Before I add items to this article I play around with MX experimenting with what works and what does not work, but I have saved you the pain of where I went wrong, just telling you what is correct. I do need to add, that I don't have a separate testing environment, and therefore I am not willing to attempt anything that might muck up my collecting of weather information, plus my knowledge of modern technology is poor as I belong to that generation who did not have desktop computers, nor mobile devices, until some time into my working life. This all places restrictions on what I can test out, and therefore on the coverage of these notes. | ||
'''If anyone else, can improve these notes, wants to split off more parts, or in any other way make the documentation better, then please do. | '''If anyone else, can improve these notes, wants to split off more parts, or in any other way make the documentation better, then please do. This article already contains improvements that were suggested by others.''' | ||
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There is no automatic installer (this may change). Cumulus MX is supplied as a zipped package on a link from [[software|Software page]]. | There is no automatic installer (this may change). Cumulus MX is supplied as a zipped package on a link from [[software|Software page]]. | ||
== | == Replacing Cumulus 1 == | ||
See [[Moving from Cumulus 1 to MX]] article. If you wish to run MX on Windows, then you can unzip the contents of the download package over your cumulus 1 installation, i.e. so the same data and Reports folders continue to be used. But it would be best if you take a back-up copy of the Cumulus 1 installation first! | |||
The package contains several extra .dll files, and everything else you need, to continue to read from your weather station, to load up the admin interface (there are some settings you will need to change), and some simple web templates (that replace the standard Cumulus 1 ones). You might want to read topics on the MX support forum to discover about other people's experiences. | |||
== Completely new MX installation == | |||
See earlier for links to other articles about installing on a Windows PC or a Raspberry Pi. Here only a brief indication of installation is covered. | |||
*Create a new directory (recommended name CumulusMX) and unzip the contents of the [[Software|download package]] into it. | |||
*See notes below for extras required in various operating systems. | |||
*The package contains everything else you need to read from your weather station (if it is a supported model), to load up the admin interface (for settings and some simple templates used to create web pages to see on a device connected to your home network). You might want to read topics on the MX support forum to discover about other people's experiences. | |||
== Running Cumulus MX == | |||
# Make sure your weather station (and any extra sensors) is connected to the device on which you have installed Cumulus MX, before you try to run Cumulus MX. | # Make sure your weather station (and any extra sensors) is connected to the device on which you have installed Cumulus MX, before you try to run Cumulus MX. | ||
# Start '''Cumulus MX engine''' (command to do this varies between operating systems, so see sub-heading for your device below | # Start '''Cumulus MX engine''' (command to do this varies between operating systems, so see sub-heading for your device below | ||
# Start '''Admin Interface''', it runs in a browser, by default on port 8998, see [[#User_Interface|section]] below. | # Start '''Admin Interface''', it runs in a browser, by default on port 8998, see [[#User_Interface|section]] below. | ||
If you are running MX for the first time, without a configuration file (none is included in download package), see [[Cumulus.ini#Cumulus_MX|here]] for screen shots and instructions. | If you have been running Cumulus 1 before, then [[Moving from Cumulus 1 to MX|as instructed here]] your MX installation will require various files from your Cumulus 1 installation including all files in the '''data''' and '''Reports''' folder and all [[:Category:Configuration Files|Configuration Files]] including [[Cumulus.ini#Swapping_from_Cumulus_1_to_MX|Cumulus.ini]] and follow that link for details of a few of the parameters that you may need to change. | ||
If you are running MX for the first time, without a configuration file (none is included in download package), see [[Cumulus.ini#Cumulus_MX|here]] for screen shots showing what you see as the engine starts running, and what you see in the admin interface where you set your weather station type. In that link there are more instructions. | |||
=== .NET and Mono === | === .NET and Mono === | ||
The software currently | The software currently called .NET was originally for all operating systems, but Microsoft then decided to restrict it to just Windows (and that was the position while MX was being developed and is still true in early 2020 when this article was rewritten), mostly to encourage greater dominance by Microsoft software and hardware. | ||
Mono was then born based on .NET to work with all operating systems, Mono subsequently changed independently from .NET (although Microsoft still has a leading role). | Mono was then born based on .NET to work with all operating systems, Mono subsequently changed independently from .NET (although Microsoft still has a leading role). | ||
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More recently, Microsoft launched an alternative called .NET Core that took out of .NET the parts that were Windows specific, and it ceased work on further development of .NET beyond version 4.x.x. | More recently, Microsoft launched an alternative called .NET Core that took out of .NET the parts that were Windows specific, and it ceased work on further development of .NET beyond version 4.x.x. | ||
'''Perhaps confusingly, in November 2020, there will be change around of names, and the multi-operating system .NET Core product will take over the .NET name. I don't pretend to understand the technical details, but the impression I get is that the new .NET in November will be similar to Mono, so apps designed for that will still work, but apps using .NET to make code designed for windows will stop working''' | '''Perhaps confusingly, in November 2020, there will be change around of names, and the multi-operating system .NET Core product will take over the .NET name as version 5. I don't pretend to understand the technical details, but the impression I get is that the new .NET in November will be similar to Mono, so apps designed for that will still work, but apps using .NET to make code designed for windows will stop working'''. Since the Cumulus code is currently coded to behave slightly differently using .NET and using MONO, I guess it is possible old versions of MX might stop working when the new .NET is installed via Windows Update. | ||
=== Requirements for running on Windows === | === Requirements for running on Windows === | ||
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</pre> | </pre> | ||
You only need to do that once. If you do not issue this command, | You only need to do that once. If you do not issue this command, administrative rights are needed every time to access the port. | ||
Talking about command windows, if you want to check that the port is open for listening (i.e. able to access the admin interface) type <tt>netstat -an | findstr 8998</tt> into the command window. | Talking about command windows, if you want to check that the port is open for listening (i.e. able to access the admin interface) type <tt>netstat -an | findstr 8998</tt> into the command window. | ||
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#First '''start the engine''' in one of the 3 ways from last sub-section | #First '''start the engine''' in one of the 3 ways from last sub-section | ||
# Next '''start the admin interface''', it does not need to run all the time, but only when you need it (when you first use MX you will need it to access the settings where you tell MX what type of station you have and what units you want to use, and set various timing options), it normally runs on port 8998 (to vary that there is a '''-port''' parameter that is followed by required port and that port parameter has to be entered every time you start MX if you are not using the default port). | # Next '''start the admin interface''', it does not need to run all the time, but only when you need it (when you first use MX you will need it to access the settings where you tell MX what type of station you have and what units you want to use, and set various timing options), it normally runs on port 8998 (to vary that there is a '''-port''' parameter that is followed by required port and that port parameter has to be entered every time you start MX if you are not using the default port). More information on admin interface [[MX Administrative Interface|in separate article]]. | ||
Try '''start /min C:\Cumulus\CumulusMX.exe''' to run MX as a minimised package (although in Windows you can change the properties of the shortcut you use to start minimised). | Try '''start /min C:\Cumulus\CumulusMX.exe''' to run MX as a minimised package (although in Windows you can change the properties of the shortcut you use to start minimised). | ||
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* For OS X, you can download this here - http://www.mono-project.com/download/. | * For OS X, you can download this here - http://www.mono-project.com/download/. | ||
* How you install on Linux depends on the flavour of Linux you are running. There are download links for Linux at the same URL, but it is often easier to use a package manager, which will download and install it automatically. | * How you install on Linux depends on the flavour of Linux you are running. There are download links for Linux at the same URL, but it is often easier to use a package manager, which will download and install it automatically. | ||
**For example, in 'Raspbian' on the Raspberry Pi, you can install mono with | **For example, in 'Raspbian' on the Raspberry Pi, you can install mono with the following commands, but '''first you need to have set up various pre-requisites''' (see [[Setting_up_Raspberry_Pi]] article for details): | ||
<pre>sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade | <pre>sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade | ||
sudo apt install mono-complete</pre> | sudo apt install mono-complete</pre> | ||
Note that you do need to have the '''mono-complete''' package installed, not just the Mono for developers. | |||
The "sudo" prefix gives the command 'root' privileges, that allows administrative commands like update and install to run. | The "sudo" prefix gives the command 'root' privileges, that allows administrative commands like update and install to run. | ||
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There are some optional parameters you might need to use, as they also apply to windows they are covered later. | There are some optional parameters you might need to use, as they also apply to windows they are covered later. | ||
Next start the administrative interface, basically same as described for Windows above. More information on admin interface | Next start the administrative interface, basically same as described for Windows above. More information on admin interface [[MX Administrative Interface|in separate article]]. | ||
==== Other issues ==== | ==== Other issues ==== | ||
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'''APPEAL''' - Please could any readers who have experience of running MX in a Linux or Mac environment please consider writing advice into this article. I want it to be a comprehensive accurate article. | '''APPEAL''' - Please could any readers who have experience of running MX in a Linux or Mac environment please consider writing advice into this article. I want it to be a comprehensive accurate article. | ||
=== Notes by Steve Loft === | |||
''please note these notes ARE now obsolete, library routines have changed a lot since this was written in 2014'' | |||
''' | '''Any volunteers to replace this section with up to date information?''' | ||
''' | |||
**If you have a Raspberry Pi 2, there is a later version of Mono available, which you may find works better that the one in the standard distribution, particularly if you use decimal commas. Mono 3.2.8 (which is the default in some Linux distributions) will not work if you use commas for decimals, as in some countries. | |||
'' | **On Linux you will need library '''libudev.so.0''' which may not be installed by default. Installing '''package libudev0''' may resolve this. There may be issues if you are using a 64-bit version of Linux. I'm not sure what the resolution is at the moment, if this is the case. | ||
''' | You need to specify something like '''/dev/ttyUSB0''' for the connection for your weather station. This is set in the "station settings" and stored in the [[Cumulus.ini#station|ComportName attribute]] in Cumulus.ini configuration file. | ||
In some builds of MX you have to run as "root", there are ways of giving "root" like permissions when running MX as another user, see forum for details until this section has been updated. | |||
==Stopping MX== | |||
''' | The best way to stop MX is by sending a '''control and C''' sequence to it. There is a start stop routine discussed in the support forum, where you will also find some topics about shutdown issues. | ||
The MX source listing suggests it also accepts ''control and break'', '''Close main window''', ''user logoff'', and '''system shutdown''' and should still attempt to stop running tidily. There are various tasks like writing final values to log files and recreating the configuration file, [[Cumulus.ini]], that it needs to do as part of the MX closing routine, and obviously early closure of the device running MX (such as that caused by a power cut) will prevent a tidy end to MX. | |||
= Executables = | |||
''' | The MX package, at time of typing this, includes two executables: | ||
== CumulusMX.exe == | |||
Whilst effectively MX is run by a '''CumulusMX.exe''' or '''sudo mono CumulusMX.exe''' depending on device, you actually need to ensure all the other components are loaded, so you either have a package that runs it for you, or you click a shortcut that includes the necessary path setting. | |||
=== Optional parameters to add to the instruction to run the MX engine === | |||
Beta builds in MX version 3.0.0 had an optional parameter <tt>-wsport nnnn</tt> that determined which port (represented by a 4 digit number ''nnnn'') was used for '''WebSockets'''. That parameter is now deprecated as WebSockets in all builds since 3045 uses the same port as the rest of the [[MX_Administrative_Interface#The_API_interface|Admin Interface]]. The remaining parameters that are still available are described in subsequent sub-sections. | |||
==== Parameter for changing Port ==== | |||
When Cumulus starts, it will display the URL of the user interface. It runs on port 8998 by default; if this is not suitable for some reason you can over-ride it using the '-port' parameter on the command line, e.g. to use port 9999 instead: | |||
<pre>sudo mono CumulusMX.exe -port 9999</pre> | |||
==== Parameter for adding debugging ==== | |||
MX has a default level of logging that stores in the [[MXDiags]] folder a log file that shows some of the interaction with the weather station and some of the output actions done as MX runs. A new log is started each time MX is restarted. | |||
''' | If there is a problem, then there is a great benefit in actually increasing the level of detail in these logs; and that is done either within the settings ('''options''' section of ''station settings'') in admin interface while MX is running, or by adding 1 or 2 parameters when you start MX. Obviously this log file continues to grow, the longer MX is left running, and if debugging is switched on the file will grow in size must faster. Consequently, the default is not to add the extra debugging information and the settings can be used to switch it off again if you do have it switched on. Whether you start it with a parameter or enable it within settings, stopping MX will end the extra debugging, and on restart it will default back to no debugging unless turned on again with parameter or setting. | ||
You can also add '''CumulusMX.exe -debug''' (to have full debugging of actions by MX turned on as MX starts), and/or '''CumulusMX.exe -Logging=1''' (for the station to MX transfers to have increased debugging logging). | |||
<pre>sudo mono CumulusMX.exe -debug -Logging=1</pre> | |||
<pre>sudo | |||
Since this parameter is applied when you start MX, it applies while MX continues to run. Obviously, it must be applied every time you start MX if you want this increased level of logging to continue every time you restart MX. | |||
# | The comments in the MX source suggests -debug turns on both debug and data logging (see [[MX_Administrative_Interface#Options|Station_Settings#Options]] in admin interface settings), but I believe that is wrong as per example above, there are 2 separate parameters. | ||
==== Parameter for changing Locale ==== | |||
On Linux and (in particular) OS X, Cumulus MX may not be given the correct locale to use, and you may get the default US locale even if that is not your locale. It will output the local it is using when it starts; if it is not correct, close it down and start it again, this time specifying your locale on the command line, using the -lang parameter . For example, in the UK, on a non-Windows device type: | |||
<pre> | |||
<pre>sudo | sudo mono CumulusMX.exe -lang en-GB | ||
</pre> | |||
Other local examples: '''CumulusMX.exe Current culture: English (United States)''', '''CumulusMX.exe -lang de-DE''', '''CumulusMX.exe -lang el-GR''' (this is one of the locales that reads numbers with '''integer,decimal''' format), '''CumulusMX.exe -lang nl-NL'''. | |||
If you are not sure what value you need to supply for the -lang parameter, there is a list here - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/ee825488%28v=cs.20%29.aspx. You need to supply the code in the first column ("Language Culture Name") in that list. | |||
Note that this does not affect the language used by Cumulus MX (although it may in the future), it affects the decimal separator and the list separator. | |||
Note that you ''may'' need to supply your administrator password after typing the 'sudo ...' command line. The system will prompt you for this if it is needed. | |||
== ExportMySQL.exe == | |||
This second exe file has been available since the original MX package as Steve Loft developed this in April 2015, but sadly few people even notice it exists, and if they do, it is unlikely they know how to use it. Hopefully, some people will read this section and find out! | |||
Obviously it was updated when Mark Crossley added the Feels Like fields to log files. | |||
Put simply, this executable will read log files and insert (insert ignore) rows into an existing database table. Since it only does inserts, despite the name of this function, it is not just for MySQL tables, the included SQL should work with whatever database table type you have. | |||
The executable has a mandatory single parameter that tells it which log files to read, there are only 3 possible parameters ("dayfile", "monthly", or path to a file). It needs to know what locale (or culture settings) it is to use to work out what character separates each item in the log file list. It also needs to read your Cumulus.ini file, as it takes these "input parameters" from MySQL section in that: | |||
*Host | |||
*Port | |||
*User | |||
*Pass | |||
*Database | |||
*MonthlyTable | |||
*DayfileTable | |||
=== Daily summary log file === | |||
''' | # Use the feature in the admin interface: | ||
* | #* Settings menu | ||
#* MySQL settings page | |||
< | #* In '''Dayfile.txt upload''' section, give your database table a name, or accept default ''Dayfile''. | ||
#* Click '''Save''' to ensure this setting is updated | |||
# Now scroll down to '''Create database table (save settings first)''' | |||
#* Here click '''Create Dayfile''' | |||
# Now you have a database table ready, you can use the executable to read all lines in your '''CumulusMX/data/dayfile.txt''' log file. | |||
# Open a terminal display (if you are using Windows then, open a Command Window, a Windows Powershell window, or a Windows Terminal window) | |||
# Run this executable in that terminal display (or command window) by using '''sudo mono ExportMySql.exe daily''' or <tt>ExportMySql.exe daily</tt> depending on device. | |||
# In the terminal display (or command window) you will see '''Parameter = daily''' confirming what you entered and in the line below that a rapidly updating code that is the primary key displayed for each row it tries to insert into the table. If that primary key already exists in the table, it will still show the key, but no insert will take place. | |||
#If you want MX to continue adding new rows to this database table, still in the admin interface, still in MySQL settings page: | |||
#* Return to '''Dayfile.txt upload''' section, and select '''Enable'''. | |||
=== Standard Log files === | |||
* | # Use the feature in the admin interface: | ||
< | #* Settings menu | ||
#* MySQL settings page | |||
#* In '''Monthly log file upload''' section, give your database table a name, or accept default ''Monthly''. | |||
#* Click '''Save''' to ensure this setting is updated | |||
# Now scroll down to '''Create database table (save settings first)''' | |||
#* Here click '''Create Monthly''' | |||
#If you want MX to continue adding new rows to this database table, still in the admin interface, still in MySQL settings page: | |||
#* In the same '''Monthly log file upload''' section, now select '''Enable'''. | |||
# Now you have a database table ready, you can use the executable to read all lines in either one (if path to that file is in parameter), or every (if parameter is monthly) standard log file. | |||
#*If the parameter is "monthly" it will look in folder '''data''' for every file it can find with a file name of datestring + "log.txt" where datestring is a 3 letter code (in your locale) for each month (1 to 12) followed by a 2 digit year (from "00" to "99") so that is how it finds every standard log file in the folder. | |||
# Open a terminal display (if you are using Windows then, open a Command Window, a Windows Powershell window, or a Windows Terminal window) | |||
# Run this executable in that terminal display (or command window) by using '''sudo mono ExportMySql.exe monthly''' or <tt>ExportMySql.exe monthly</tt> depending on device. | |||
#* Alternatively, replace '''monthly''' parameter by a full path to a single standard log file, and it will process just that log file. | |||
# In the terminal display (or command window) you will see '''Parameter = monthly''' confirming what you entered and in the line below that a rapidly updating code that is the primary key (omitting the first two digits of the year) displayed for each row it tries to insert into the table. If that primary key already exists in the table, it will still show the key, but no insert will take place. So you can run this again to pick up any additions to the latest log file since the original run. Also notice that if you use the parameter "monthly" the order in which it will process different standard log files is not predicable, they probably will not be in any particular order, but as one feature of SQL databases is that the row order is not able to be determined, it does not matter if rows are not added in chronological order. | |||
#* It is worth noting that it is safe to run this procedure while MX is also running, because this procedure only updates log entries that exist as this procedure reads the logs, and MX only adds new entries to the log and at the same time uploads that new entry (if enabled) to the database table. | |||
Please be aware that the transfer to the database table adds two columns where bearings in the original log file given in degrees are output as compass directions, and these use up to 3 letters of how the compass directions are defined in the '''strings.ini''' file. Thus the number of columns in the database table will be at least 2 more than the number of fields in the log files. It is also important to stress that whilst the database table must contain one column defined for each field (plus the extra 2) being uploaded, you can add even more columns to your table if you want and populate those some other way. For example, I have added a Canadian Humidity Index (Humidex) column which is not in the standard logs, but is calculated by Cumulus, and can be calculated from columns that are uploaded from the standard log. Humidex is not uploaded by either ExportMySQL or the normal CumulusMX process, but neither objects to extra columns being there. | |||
When testing this, I had some log files produced by various old versions of Cumulus 1 in my MX data folder as well as the log files in has generated since I swapped to MX. Plus I had used a PHP script to add feels like to those log files produced before version 3.6.0 and to correct feels like for those log entries made by versions 3.6.0 to 3.6.9 inclusive because they used a different formula to the one being used from version 3.6.10. This php script is a web page with a HTML form and can be obtained from the forum in [https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=18096 Create Missing for MX] | |||
'' | I notice that the database rows produced by those short log file lines produced by say version 1.9.0 had nulls entered for all subsequent columns, except '''Feels Like''' and this column was initialised at 0.0! | ||
For those log files produced by the final version 1.9.4, all columns are populated although feels like is set to 0.0. | |||
= Library software = | |||
For most Cumulus users, this whole section can be skipped, but I have included it for those few users who have a technical slant and might want to understand more. | |||
Cumulus MX uses '''library''' software (i.e. software written by others and made available by the provider and often also by other content delivery nodes or 'cdn') for a lot of the standard functionality. The library software for the admin interface and the separate library software for the standard web pages are both mostly included in the distribution zip, although some is used via a link to a cdn. | |||
Many of the libraries included by MX are very obsolete. However, Mark Crossley, the current developer, said the following on 30 Sept 2019: | |||
"Chasing the latest versions of all the packages for the sake of it is a thankless task, and requires considerable effort to regression test each update. I am only updating packages when required to fix issues or for platform compatibility." | |||
Just to mention the other side of this balance. It is difficult to code an addition to MX that works with these obsolete versions of libraries. All documentation provided by providers of the libraries relates to current versions of the packages (and what is documented to work now often will not work with obsolete versions). The documentation for the packages that are no longer supported is only available in archive sites if available at all. | |||
= | ==Library Software for the MX engine== | ||
The distribution zip contains various '''.dll''' files and these are the libraries used by MX itself. The exact mix of libraries included has varied at various times, the list below is a snapshot of those included at the version that was investigated when this article was extended to include this section, and may not be right for the current MX version. | |||
== | ===Devart=== | ||
The two files used are both related to the database functionality of MX. | |||
== | ===FluentFTP=== | ||
MX | As the name suggests, this is used by MX for controlling the file transfer functionality. This component was first introduced at version 3.0.0 build 3045 (adding more functionality than that available from System.Net.FtpClien, which was used at earlier MX builds), and FluentFTP.dll has been updated at some subsequent MX releases, see the announcements for details. | ||
===Linq=== | |||
Language INtegrated Query is used to work with sequences of items and pick the ones that are needed, putting them into output format required. MX uses two files in connection with preparing output for Twitter. There is a third Linq file for other processing. | |||
===MQTT=== | |||
When MX added capability to talk to other devices using the MQTT protocol, it added this component for that optional functionality. | |||
== | ===Newtonsoft=== | ||
This component is used for processing JSON strings. It is a very popular choice for developers, and used therefore very widely. However, '''SystemText''' has superseded it, so MX is using an obsolete method. | |||
===Renci SSH=== | |||
This component is server connection software, it is what processes the host name, password, and so on. | |||
===SQLite3=== | |||
This is used for all interactions with the [[Weather Diary|weather diary]]. | |||
= | ===HTTP=== | ||
These files handle the optional HTTP functionality. | |||
===Unosquare=== | |||
The EmbedIO file is open-source software that handles the web-sockets functionality of MX. The Swan file is open-source software that handles JSON formatting and threading of tasks in MX. | |||
== Library software for admin interface == | == Library software for admin interface == | ||
As the following sections reveal, MX uses external libraries rather than writing its own code whenever possible. | |||
*However, that does not mean MX is good at meeting development standards. | |||
*MX only implements small parts of the functionality of most libraries, the minimum to make a feature work, not all the features available to make it work well | |||
*MX does not use the latest versions of libraries | |||
*MX does not attempt to obey guidance for good user interaction, and although validation is being added, many parts of MX do depend on user understanding what is valid | |||
*MX does not make provision for screen readers and other accessibility aids. | |||
===Alpaca=== | ===Alpaca=== | ||
Line 658: | Line 540: | ||
===Bootstrap=== | ===Bootstrap=== | ||
#Also known by some as ''Twitter Bootstrap'' which gives a clue as to its origins as an internal tool for those building Twitter, that company still keep making updates as it is now the most popular styling library of all those available widely. | #Also known by some as ''Twitter Bootstrap'' which gives a clue as to its developer and to its origins as an internal tool for those building Twitter, that company still keep making updates as it is now the most popular styling library of all those available widely. | ||
*The simplest way to think about this package is as a standard set of styling promoting easy responsive (means adapts to screen dimensions) web site design. | *The simplest way to think about this package is as a standard set of styling promoting easy responsive (means adapts to screen dimensions) web site design. | ||
*To give just a few examples, it defines a standard way to represent buttons, form components, lists, navigation, and breadcrumbs. | *To give just a few examples, it defines a standard way to represent buttons, form components, lists, navigation, and breadcrumbs. | ||
Line 667: | Line 549: | ||
===dataTables=== | ===dataTables=== | ||
#When MX sends out multiple lines of a log file to view or edit, the application programming interface (api) that transfers the information from the MX engine sends it in dataTables format for display on the web page in the admin interface. | #When MX sends out multiple lines of a log file to view or edit, the application programming interface (api) that transfers the information from the MX engine sends it in dataTables format for display on the web page in the admin interface. | ||
#Thus dataTables does all the work of providing the ability to move between multiple pages needed | #Thus dataTables does all the work of providing the ability to present the data in a HTML table, the functionality to move between multiple pages needed (as MX sends only up to 10 lines of a log file at a time to the admin interface). | ||
#The free version of dataTables used by MX lacks the most useful functionality that needs a subscription licence. For example, editing functionality requires a subscription. | #The free version of dataTables used by MX lacks the most useful functionality that needs a subscription licence. For example, its editing functionality requires a subscription. | ||
===altEditor=== | ===altEditor=== | ||
*This is an editing tool that can read what is in dataTables, create what it calls a modal (a pop-up dialog) where rows can be added, edited or deleted individually. | *This is an editing tool that can read what is in dataTables, create what it calls a modal (a pop-up dialog) where rows can be added, edited, or deleted individually. | ||
** MX when it added editing of log files at version 3.4.5 - Build 3069 (Friday 13 March 2020) adopted this software as it was free (although Mark Crossley said in his release notice: '''"The main thrust of this release is to add some log file editing capability to Cumulus MX. It works on all three log file types, but it is fairly basic at present. You can edit or delete lines in the files. The editing has to be done via pop-up dialog.''' | ** MX when it added editing of log files at version 3.4.5 - Build 3069 (Friday 13 March 2020) adopted this software as it was free (although Mark Crossley said in his release notice: '''"The main thrust of this release is to add some log file editing capability to Cumulus MX. It works on all three log file types, but it is fairly basic at present. You can edit or delete lines in the files. The editing has to be done via pop-up dialog.''' | ||
**'''I only found two libraries that support JQuery dataTables editing, one is very comprehensive - but costs $$$ - the other is free. The free version does not currently support in-line editing of the table which is a shame.''' | **'''I only found two libraries that support JQuery dataTables editing, one is very comprehensive - but costs $$$ - the other is free. The free version does not currently support in-line editing of the table which is a shame.''' |
edits