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Frequently Asked Questions |
If you cannot find an answer to your question, please contact us.
| General | |
| What is the difference between genIE Direct and genIE Plug-in? |
genIE Direct allows you to edit action diagrams directly on the encyclopaedia without needing to download a subset to the CA Gen toolset. genIE Plug-in is an add-on 'plug-in' that enhances the Gen toolset. |
| What is a plug-in? |
A plug-in is an application that is accessed from within the CA Gen toolset. Because the application has been launched from the toolset, it is able to directly access and update the model. |
| Is genIE Direct a replacement for the Gen toolset? | No. genIE Direct is designed to allow quick changes to action diagrams. Whilst it allows many types of simple changes to be made to the action diagram, it does not offer the complete range of features provided by the toolset. If you need to perform more complex changes, then you would still use the Gen toolset. Whilst IET will enhance genIE Direct, it will never be a replacement for the toolset, and it will remain a tool that allows rapid fixes where the cost/time of a download can be avoided by a simple direct change to the action diagram. |
| Does genIE require GuardIEn? | No, genIE can operate without GuardIEn. However see the next question on product integration. |
| Can genIE work with GuardIEn? | Yes. genIE Direct can be integrated with GuardIEn so that if an object is changed, a version is created by GuardIEn, associated to a Change Request and scoped into a Development Update for rapid impact analysis and code implementation. |
| Licensing | |
| How is genIE licensed? |
To be able to use genIE, you need to obtain a licence from IET. genIE is licensed per workstation. If you have GuardIEn or genIE server installed, genIE licences are managed by the server and you do not need a licence for each workstation. If you are only using genIE on the workstation (i.e. no server component is installed), each workstation requires a separate licence. |
| Are trial versions available? |
Yes, you can obtain a 30 day trial for genIE. |
| Is genIE free? | The majority of the genIE functions require a genIE licence. However the Plug-in View Size Calculator is provided free and will remain active at the end of the trial period. |
| Technical | |
| How does genIE Direct update the encyclopaedia? |
On the Client/Server Encyclopaedia (CSE), genIE Direct uses the CA Gen Update API. On the Host Encyclopaedia (HE), genIE Direct uses IET's own API and the Gen Update API is not required. |
| How does genIE Direct lock the model? |
When the changes are to be applied to the encyclopaedia, genIE locks the model, applies the changes and then releases the model. This is only for the short duration that the changes are actually applied and the model is not locked whilst the PAD Editor is open. If the model lock cannot be obtained (for example because the model is in use), genIE will attempt to obtain the lock for 10 attempts before informing the user that the model is locked and they should try again. On the CSE, the lock management is performed by the Gen Update API. On the HE, genIE provides a special lock manager which manages the locks using MVS ENQUEUES which is the same approach adopted by the encyclopaedia. |
| What versions of Gen are supported? | See the Technical Requirements page. |
| The plug-ins do not work from the Gen menu | Make sure that you have started the toolset with the /Automation parameter. |
| Is genIE safe to use? | genIE has been used successfully by many sites since 2005 and is safe to use! |