ReadItem(IEasyDAClient,DAItemArguments,DAReadParameters) Method

Reads a named item using an item arguments objects, and read parameters. Value, quality and timestamp are returned.

Syntax

Visual Basic
C#
C++/CLI

'Declaration
 
<ExtensionAttribute()>
<NotNullAttribute()>
Public Overloads Shared Function ReadItem( _
   ByVal client As IEasyDAClient, _
   ByVal itemArguments As DAItemArguments, _
   ByVal readParameters As DAReadParameters _
) As DAVtq

'Usage
 
Dim client As IEasyDAClient
Dim itemArguments As DAItemArguments
Dim readParameters As DAReadParameters
Dim value As DAVtq
 
value = IEasyDAClientExtension.ReadItem(client, itemArguments, readParameters)

[Extension()]
[NotNull()]
public static DAVtq ReadItem( 
   IEasyDAClient client,
   DAItemArguments itemArguments,
   DAReadParameters readParameters
)

[Extension()]
[NotNull()]
public:
static DAVtq^ ReadItem( 
   IEasyDAClient^ client,
   DAItemArguments^ itemArguments,
   DAReadParameters^ readParameters
)

Parameters

client

The client object that will perform the operation.

This is typically the EasyDAClient object.

The value of this parameter cannot be null (Nothing in Visual Basic).

itemArguments

Holds an OPC server and item descriptor.

The value of this parameter cannot be null (Nothing in Visual Basic).

readParameters

The read parameters (such as data source or value age).

Because the DAReadParameters has an implicit conversion from System.Int32 and DADataSource, in languages that support implicit conversion operators (such as C# or VB.NET), you can simply use an integer (representing the value age in milliseconds), or an element of the DADataSource enumeration in place of this parameter, and the corresponding OPC DA read parameters object will be constructed automatically. When the implicit conversion operators are not supported (such as with Python.NET), you can use the DAReadParameters Constructor(Int32) or DAReadParameters Constructor(DADataSource) constructor instead.

The value of this parameter cannot be null (Nothing in Visual Basic).

Return Value

If successful, the function returns a DAVtq object. The object contains the value, timestamp and quality of the OPC item requested.

This method never returns null (Nothing in Visual Basic).

Exceptions

Exception Description

Exception	Description
System.ArgumentNullException	A `null` reference (`Nothing` in Visual Basic) is passed to a method that does not accept it as a valid argument. This is a usage error, i.e. it will never occur (the exception will not be thrown) in a correctly written program. Your code should not catch this exception.
OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel.OpcException	The OPC "Classic" (or OPC XML-DA) operation has failed. This operation exception in uniformly used to allow common handling of various kinds of errors. The System.Exception.InnerException always contains information about the actual error cause. This is an operation error that depends on factors external to your program, and thus cannot be always avoided. Your code must handle it appropriately.

System.ArgumentNullException

A null reference (Nothing in Visual Basic) is passed to a method that does not accept it as a valid argument.

This is a usage error, i.e. it will never occur (the exception will not be thrown) in a correctly written program. Your code should not catch this exception.

OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel.OpcException

The OPC "Classic" (or OPC XML-DA) operation has failed. This operation exception in uniformly used to allow common handling of various kinds of errors. The System.Exception.InnerException always contains information about the actual error cause.

This is an operation error that depends on factors external to your program, and thus cannot be always avoided. Your code must handle it appropriately.

Remarks

The ReadItem method reads the data of an OPC-DA item. It uses the first available data from the server; it does not wait until the quality becomes "uncertain" or "good".

The server(s) can be local or can be remotely accessed via DCOM.

Optionally, a specific data type can be requested, or an access path can be specified (OPC DA 1.0 only).

This is an extension method (info: C#, VB.NET). In languages that have support for extensions methods (such as C# and VB.NET), you can use the extension method as if it were a regular method on the object that is its first parameter. In other languages (such as with Python.NET), you will call the extension as a static method, and pass it the object on which it acts as its first parameter.

Example

CSharp
PowerShell
VB.NET
Python

// This example shows how to read a single item, and display its value, timestamp and quality.
//
// Find all latest examples here: https://opclabs.doc-that.com/files/onlinedocs/OPCLabs-OpcStudio/Latest/examples.html .
// OPC client and subscriber examples in C# on GitHub: https://github.com/OPCLabs/Examples-QuickOPC-CSharp .
// Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums, https://www.opclabs.com/forum/index ! You do not have to own
// a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.

using System;
using OpcLabs.EasyOpc.DataAccess;
using OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel;

namespace DocExamples.DataAccess._EasyDAClient
{
    partial class ReadItem
    {
        public static void Main1()
        {
            // Instantiate the client object.
            var client = new EasyDAClient();

            DAVtq vtq;
            try
            {
                vtq = client.ReadItem("", "OPCLabs.KitServer.2", "Simulation.Random");
            }
            catch (OpcException opcException)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("*** Failure: {0}", opcException.GetBaseException().Message);
                return;
            }

            Console.WriteLine("Vtq: {0}", vtq);
        }
    }
}

# This example shows how to read a single item, and display its value, timestamp and quality.
#
# Find all latest examples here: https://opclabs.doc-that.com/files/onlinedocs/OPCLabs-OpcStudio/Latest/examples.html .
# OPC client and subscriber examples in PowerShell on GitHub: https://github.com/OPCLabs/Examples-QuickOPC-PowerShell .
# Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums, https://www.opclabs.com/forum/index ! You do not have to own
# a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.

#requires -Version 5.1
using namespace OpcLabs.EasyOpc.DataAccess
using namespace OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel

# The path below assumes that the current directory is [ProductDir]/Examples-NET/PowerShell/Windows .
Add-Type -Path "../../../Components/Opclabs.QuickOpc/net472/OpcLabs.EasyOpcClassicCore.dll"
Add-Type -Path "../../../Components/Opclabs.QuickOpc/net472/OpcLabs.EasyOpcClassic.dll"
Add-Type -Path "../../../Components/Opclabs.QuickOpc/net472/OpcLabs.EasyOpcClassicComponents.dll"

# Instantiate the client object.
$client = New-Object EasyDAClient

try {
    $vtq = [IEasyDAClientExtension]::ReadItem($client, "", "OPCLabs.KitServer.2", "Simulation.Random")
}
catch [OpcException] {
    Write-Host "*** Failure: $($PSItem.Exception.GetBaseException().Message)"
    return
}

Write-Host "Vtq: $($vtq)"

' This example shows how to read a single item, and display its value, timestamp and quality.
'
' Find all latest examples here: https://opclabs.doc-that.com/files/onlinedocs/OPCLabs-OpcStudio/Latest/examples.html .
' OPC client and subscriber examples in VB.NET on GitHub: https://github.com/OPCLabs/Examples-QuickOPC-VBNET .
' Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums, https://www.opclabs.com/forum/index ! You do not have to own
' a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.

Imports OpcLabs.EasyOpc.DataAccess
Imports OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel

Namespace DataAccess._EasyDAClient
    Partial Friend Class ReadItem
        Public Shared Sub Main1()
            Dim client = New EasyDAClient()

            Dim vtq As DAVtq
            Try
                vtq = client.ReadItem("", "OPCLabs.KitServer.2", "Simulation.Random")
            Catch opcException As OpcException
                Console.WriteLine("*** Failure: {0}", opcException.GetBaseException().Message)
                Exit Sub
            End Try

            Console.WriteLine("Vtq: {0}", vtq)
        End Sub
    End Class
End Namespace

# This example shows how to read a single item, and display its value, timestamp and quality.
#
# Find all latest examples here: https://opclabs.doc-that.com/files/onlinedocs/OPCLabs-OpcStudio/Latest/examples.html .
# OPC client and subscriber examples in Python on GitHub: https://github.com/OPCLabs/Examples-QuickOPC-Python .
# Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums, https://www.opclabs.com/forum/index ! You do not have to own
# a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.
# The QuickOPC package is needed. Install it using "pip install opclabs_quickopc".
import opclabs_quickopc

# Import .NET namespaces.
from OpcLabs.BaseLib.Navigation import *
from OpcLabs.EasyOpc import *
from OpcLabs.EasyOpc.DataAccess import *
from OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel import *


# Instantiate the client object.
client = EasyDAClient()

# Perform the operation.
try:
    vtq = IEasyDAClientExtension.ReadItem(client, '', 'OPCLabs.KitServer.2', 'Simulation.Random')
except OpcException as opcException:
    print('*** Failure: ' + opcException.GetBaseException().Message, sep='')
    exit()

# Display results.
print('Vtq: ', vtq, sep='')

CSharp
VB.NET
Python

// Shows how different data types can be read, including rare types and arrays of values.
//
// Find all latest examples here: https://opclabs.doc-that.com/files/onlinedocs/OPCLabs-OpcStudio/Latest/examples.html .
// OPC client and subscriber examples in C# on GitHub: https://github.com/OPCLabs/Examples-QuickOPC-CSharp .
// Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums, https://www.opclabs.com/forum/index ! You do not have to own
// a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.

using System;
using OpcLabs.EasyOpc.DataAccess;
using OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel;

namespace DocExamples.DataAccess._EasyDAClient
{
    partial class ReadItem
    {
        // Instantiate the client object.
        static readonly EasyDAClient Client = new EasyDAClient();

        static void ReadAndDisplay(string itemId)
        {
            Console.WriteLine();
            Console.WriteLine("Reading \"{0}\"...", itemId);

            DAVtq vtq;
            try
            {
                vtq = Client.ReadItem("OPCLabs.KitServer.2", itemId);
            }
            catch (OpcException opcException)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("*** Failure: {0}", opcException.GetBaseException().Message);
                return;
            }
            Console.WriteLine("Vtq: {0}", vtq);
        }

        public static void DataTypes()
        {
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.Register_EMPTY");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.Register_NULL");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.Register_DISPATCH");

            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_I2");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_I4");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_R4");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_R8");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_CY");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_DATE");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_BSTR");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_BOOL");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_DECIMAL");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_I1");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_UI1");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_UI2");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_UI4");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_INT");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_UINT");

            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfI2");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfI4");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfR4");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfR8");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfCY");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfDATE");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfBSTR");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfBOOL");
            //ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfDECIMAL");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfI1");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUI1");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUI2");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUI4");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfINT");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUINT");
        }
    }
}

' Shows how different data types can be read, including rare types and arrays of values.
'
' Find all latest examples here: https://opclabs.doc-that.com/files/onlinedocs/OPCLabs-OpcStudio/Latest/examples.html .
' OPC client and subscriber examples in VB.NET on GitHub: https://github.com/OPCLabs/Examples-QuickOPC-VBNET .
' Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums, https://www.opclabs.com/forum/index ! You do not have to own
' a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.

Imports OpcLabs.EasyOpc.DataAccess
Imports OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel

Namespace DataAccess._EasyDAClient
    Partial Friend Class ReadItem
        Private Shared ReadOnly DAClient As New EasyDAClient()

        Private Shared Sub ReadAndDisplay(itemId As String)
            Console.WriteLine()
            Console.WriteLine("Reading ""{0}""...", itemId)

            Dim vtq As DAVtq
            Try
                vtq = DAClient.ReadItem("OPCLabs.KitServer.2", itemId)
            Catch opcException As OpcException
                Console.WriteLine("*** Failure: {0}", opcException.GetBaseException().Message)
                Exit Sub
            End Try

            Console.WriteLine("Vtq.ToString(): {0}", vtq.ToString())
        End Sub

        Shared Sub DataTypes()
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.Register_EMPTY")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.Register_NULL")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.Register_DISPATCH")

            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_I2")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_I4")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_R4")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_R8")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_CY")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_DATE")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_BSTR")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_BOOL")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_DECIMAL")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_I1")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_UI1")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_UI2")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_UI4")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_INT")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_UINT")

            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfI2")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfI4")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfR4")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfR8")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfCY")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfDATE")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfBSTR")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfBOOL")
            'ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfDECIMAL");
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfI1")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUI1")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUI2")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUI4")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfINT")
            ReadAndDisplay("Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUINT")
        End Sub
    End Class
End Namespace

# Shows how different data types can be read, including rare types and arrays of values.
#
# Find all latest examples here: https://opclabs.doc-that.com/files/onlinedocs/OPCLabs-OpcStudio/Latest/examples.html .
# OPC client and subscriber examples in Python on GitHub: https://github.com/OPCLabs/Examples-QuickOPC-Python .
# Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums, https://www.opclabs.com/forum/index ! You do not have to own
# a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.
# The QuickOPC package is needed. Install it using "pip install opclabs_quickopc".
import opclabs_quickopc

# Import .NET namespaces.
from OpcLabs.EasyOpc import *
from OpcLabs.EasyOpc.DataAccess import *
from OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel import *


def readAndDisplay(itemId):
    global client
    #
    print()
    print('Reading "', itemId, '"...', sep='')
    #
    try:
        vtq = IEasyDAClientExtension.ReadItem(client, ServerDescriptor('OPCLabs.KitServer.2'), DAItemDescriptor(itemId))
    except OpcException as opcException:
        print('*** Failure: ' + opcException.GetBaseException().Message)
        return
    print('Vtq: ', vtq, sep='')


# Instantiate the client object.
client = EasyDAClient()

#
readAndDisplay('Simulation.Register_EMPTY')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.Register_NULL')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.Register_DISPATCH')

readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_I2')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_I4')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_R4')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_R8')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_CY')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_DATE')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_BSTR')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_BOOL')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_DECIMAL')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_I1')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_UI1')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_UI2')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_UI4')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_INT')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_UINT')

readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfI2')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfI4')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfR4')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfR8')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfCY')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfDATE')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfBSTR')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfBOOL')
# readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfDECIMAL')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfI1')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUI1')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUI2')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUI4')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfINT')
readAndDisplay('Simulation.ReadValue_ArrayOfUINT')

print()
print('Finished.')

CSharp
VB.NET
Python

// This example shows how to read a single item, and display its value, timestamp and quality.
//
// Find all latest examples here: https://opclabs.doc-that.com/files/onlinedocs/OPCLabs-OpcStudio/Latest/examples.html .
// OPC client and subscriber examples in C# on GitHub: https://github.com/OPCLabs/Examples-QuickOPC-CSharp .
// Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums, https://www.opclabs.com/forum/index ! You do not have to own
// a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.

using System;
using OpcLabs.EasyOpc.DataAccess;
using OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel;

namespace DocExamples.DataAccess.Xml
{
    partial class ReadItem
    {
        public static void Main1Xml()
        {
            // Instantiate the client object.
            var client = new EasyDAClient();

            DAVtq vtq;
            try
            {
                vtq = client.ReadItem("http://opcxml.demo-this.com/XmlDaSampleServer/Service.asmx", "Dynamic/Analog Types/Int");
            }
            catch (OpcException opcException)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("*** Failure: {0}", opcException.GetBaseException().Message);
                return;
            }

            Console.WriteLine("Vtq: {0}", vtq);
        }
    }
}

' This example shows how to read a single item, and display its value, timestamp and quality.
'
' Find all latest examples here: https://opclabs.doc-that.com/files/onlinedocs/OPCLabs-OpcStudio/Latest/examples.html .
' OPC client and subscriber examples in VB.NET on GitHub: https://github.com/OPCLabs/Examples-QuickOPC-VBNET .
' Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums, https://www.opclabs.com/forum/index ! You do not have to own
' a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.

Imports OpcLabs.EasyOpc.DataAccess
Imports OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel

Namespace DataAccess.Xml
    Partial Friend Class ReadItem
        Public Shared Sub Main1Xml()
            Dim client = New EasyDAClient()

            Dim vtq As DAVtq
            Try
                vtq = client.ReadItem("http://opcxml.demo-this.com/XmlDaSampleServer/Service.asmx", "Dynamic/Analog Types/Int")
            Catch opcException As OpcException
                Console.WriteLine("*** Failure: {0}", opcException.GetBaseException().Message)
                Exit Sub
            End Try

            Console.WriteLine("Vtq: {0}", vtq)
        End Sub
    End Class
End Namespace

# This example shows how to read a single item, and display its value, timestamp and quality.
#
# Find all latest examples here: https://opclabs.doc-that.com/files/onlinedocs/OPCLabs-OpcStudio/Latest/examples.html .
# OPC client and subscriber examples in Python on GitHub: https://github.com/OPCLabs/Examples-QuickOPC-Python .
# Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums, https://www.opclabs.com/forum/index ! You do not have to own
# a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.
# The QuickOPC package is needed. Install it using "pip install opclabs_quickopc".
import opclabs_quickopc

# Import .NET namespaces.
from OpcLabs.EasyOpc import *
from OpcLabs.EasyOpc.DataAccess import *
from OpcLabs.EasyOpc.OperationModel import *

# Instantiate the client object.
client = EasyDAClient()

# Perform the operation.
try:
    vtq = IEasyDAClientExtension.ReadItem(client, ServerDescriptor('http://opcxml.demo-this.com/XmlDaSampleServer/Service.asmx'), DAItemDescriptor('Dynamic/Analog Types/Int'))
except OpcException as opcException:
    print('*** Failure: ' + opcException.GetBaseException().Message, sep='')
    exit()

# Display results.
print('Vtq: ', vtq, sep='')

Requirements

Target Platforms: .NET Framework: Windows 10 (selected versions), Windows 11 (selected versions), Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2022; .NET: Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows

Reference

IEasyDAClientExtension Class
IEasyDAClientExtension Members
Overload List

Documentation Home, Send Feedback. Resources: Knowledge Base, Product Downloads. Technical support: Online Forums, FAQ.

Missing some example? Ask us for it on our Online Forums! You do not have to own a commercial license in order to use Online Forums, and we reply to every post.