Adding a Table for a custom step type to TestStand's logging Database

[hans17]

 We are starting to use the database logging feature of TestStand 3.5 to record our test results.  We have been playing with the Database Options window and have copied TestStands default database to the User directory.  We have added columns such as UUT make and Model to the UUT Result table and have mapped those to UUT information using the Database Options Columns/Parameters tab and we do see the new UUT fields data being recorded in the database correctly.  So far so good.

Now  we want to add logging of a new custom step type called UI_Speed to the database.  We added a numeric property called UI_Speed_msec to the Result container of our UI_Speed step type.  We are planning to add a new table to the database to store results for this step type, but we're confused on whether we should add only a STEP_UI_SPEED table or a both a STEP_UI_SPEED table and a MEAS_UI_SPEED table. 

What is the guideline on when a step type needs only a STEP table and when it needs a STEP and a MEAS table?

Is there a tutorial or whitepaper that contains detailed information on customizing TestStand's database logging? 

I read chapter 6 of the TestStand User's manual but that was pretty high level and did not address the details of adding a logging of a custom step type.  I also search this forum and there were a few pertinent posts, but again they didn't give us all the information we need.  It seems like a step by step white paper would save many people a lot of time.

Thanks,
Hans

[James M]

Hi Hans,

The default TestStand database uses 'MEAS' tables when multiple step types log to the same table. Obviously, this only makes since when the steps are closely related such as NumericLimitTest and MultipleNumericLimitTest. Please refer to the following Knowledge Base for more information:
What Are the Differences Between the STEP_NUMERICLIMIT Statement and the MEAS_NUMERICLIMIT Statement...

Other resources on custom database logging include:

• Chapter 6 of the TestStand reference manual (as you have already seen)
  
• Chapter 11 (Custom Database Logging) in the TestStand I: Introduction course
  
• The examples located in <TestStand>\Examples\Database on your hard drive
  
• The following Knowledge Bases:
• Logging a New Step Property to a Database in TestStand
• Logging a New UUT Property to a Database in TestStand
• The TestStand help topics under TestStand Supplemental Reference Help » Database Connectivity
  

Regards,