The Python language and ecosystem provides the ability to produce and consume packages. QuickOPC Python packages are hosted on the Python Package Index (https://pypi.org/ ). The Python Package Index is the central package repository used by most package authors and consumers.

For more details about QuickOPC Python packages and instructions on how to use them, see:

• List of Component Packages
• (external) Installing Packages

Installing Python Packages

In order to install a QuickOPC Python package into your Python environment:

1. Open a command prompt.
2. Install and update pip.
3. Type the following: pip install opclabs_quickopc. This adds QuickOPC to your Python environment.
   The above command actually installs the very latest version of the QuickOPC Python package. If you want to be sure that you referencing a package for QuickOPC 2024.2, use the pip install command with the version specifier (QuickOPC 2024.2 uses version specifiers that start with 5.81).

4. If you need to add more packages (see List of Component Packages), repeat the pip install command, giving it the package name for Python as an argument.

Local Copy

The QuickOPC Python packages are available online, from https://pypi.org/ .

In addition to this, the Setup program also installs a local copy of QuickOPC Python packages, into the PythonPackages directory under the product installation folder. The structure of this directory is such that it can be directly used a Python local repository, e.g. for off-line development and building purposes. All you need to do is to add this directory using pip as an extra package index, or install the packages directly using their full path in the local file system.

Limitations

Note that Python packages are primarily a tool for resolving development-time dependencies. The amount of functionality that you get through QuickOPC Python packages is smaller than what QuickOPC can actually do for you. If you want a full coverage of the features, you would be better off installing the product using the Setup program. Further below you will find a list of differences between the two distribution forms.

The bulk of this documentation assumes that you have installed the product using the Setup program. You need to keep the limited scope of Python packages in mind when interpreting the documentation.

What is included in the Python packages:

• Runtime modules for all OPC specifications and programming models (for .NET Framework and .NET 6+ target platforms).
• User interface components (e.g. OPC browsing dialogs for Windows Forms).    

What is only available from the Setup program or elsewhere (e.g. online):

• Support for COM development (VB6, PHP, Excel, Delphi and similar tools).
• Documentation and Help.
• Visual Studio integration, including Live Binding design-time support (codeless creation of OPC applications).
• Examples and Demo applications, Bonus.
• OPC Data Access simulation server, test tools.
• License Manager utility.
• Excel Connector.