Terminology

.NET Compact Framework (.NET CF)

Version of Microsoft's .NET framework providing the run-time environment for applications running on embedded devices, such as the FlexPendant. It includes a class library, which is almost a subset of the rich .NET framework for the desktop.

C# and Visual Basic.NET

.NET programming languages.

Common Language Runtime

The core runtime engine in the .NET Framework for execution of managed code. Provides services such as cross-language integration, code access security, object lifetime management, and debugging and profiling support.

Controller Application Programming Interface

The public class libraries of the FlexPendant SDK, which offer robot controller functionality. Also referred to as Controller API.

Device

The FlexPendant is a “smart device” in the .NET vocabulary, that is, a complete computer in itself with its own processor, operating system and so on.

FlexPendant

ABB’s hand held device, used with IRC5 robot controller. It is developed with Microsoft’s technology for embedded systems, Windows CE and .NET Compact Framework.

FlexPendant SDK programmer

A programmer who uses FlexPendant SDK to develop custom applications.

FlexPendant SDK application

A custom application developed with FlexPendant SDK.

IRC5

ABB’s robot controller.

JIT compiler

When compiling managed code, the compiler translates the source code into Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL), which is a CPU-independent set of instructions. Before code can be executed, MSIL must be converted to CPU-specific code, usually by a just-in-time (JIT) compiler.

managed code

Code that is executed and managed by the Microsoft .NET Framework’s common language runtime. All code produced by Visual Studio executes as managed code.

Microsoft Visual Studio

The integrated development environment that developers work inside when using the .NET Framework.

Microsoft .NET Framework

An integral Windows component supporting the building and running of applications.

Network socket

A communication end-point unique to a machine communicating on an Internet Protocol-based network.

Robot Application Builder

ABB software tool, which enabled the development of custom operator interfaces for IRC5. Often referred to as RAB. The RAB is split to FlexPendant SDK and PC SDK. Robot Application Builder (RAB) was a software tool, which enabled programmers to develop customized FlexPendant or PC interfaces for the IRC5 robot controller.

Robot Communication Runtime

The communication layer used by Controller API to communicate over the network with an IRC5 controller.

unmanaged code

Code that is executed directly by the operating system, outside the .NET Framework. Unmanaged code must provide its own memory management, type checking, and security support, unlike managed code, which receives these services from the common language runtime. All code executing in the robot controller, as well as part of the code executing in the FlexPendant is unmanaged.

Virtual IRC5

Virtual robot technology makes it possible to run a virtual IRC5 controller, virtual mechanical units and a virtual FlexPendant on the desktop. Included as freeware in ABB’s RobotStudio.

Windows CE

The embedded operating system running on the FlexPendant device.

Controller API

Controller Application Programming Interface

CLR

Common Language Runtime

FlexPendant SDK

FlexPendant Software Development Kit

GUI

Graphical User Interface

MSDN

Microsoft Developer Network, source of information for .NET developers at:http://msdn.microsoft.com/.

SDK

Software Development Kit

TAF

Teach Pendant Application Framework, all applications using the FlexPendant SDK must run as TAF clients. For more information, see TAF - Application host framework.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP)

VB

Visual Basic

VS

Visual Studio