The following release notes describe the new features of version 
B.00.00 of HP VEE-Engine and HP VEE-Test, and provide additional 
information that is not covered in the manuals.


________________________________________________________________________
Hardware and Software Compatibility

Version B.00.00 of HP VEE-Engine and HP VEE-Test is compatible with the 
following hardware and HP-UX versions:

* HP 9000 Series 300 computers running HP-UX version 8.0 or greater.

* HP 9000 Series 400 computers running HP-UX version 8.0 or greater.

* HP 9000 Series 700 computers running HP-UX version 8.05 or greater.

* HP 75000 Series C Model V/382 VXI Controllers running HP-UX 
version 9.x.  (HP-UX 8.0 is not supported for the V/382.)

Version B.00.00 of HP VEE also supports Series 700 RX terminals 
connected to a Series 300, 400, or 700 workstation.


CAUTION:

Please read the instructions in "Installing HP VEE-Engine and 
HP VEE-Test" carefully before you install HP VEE on your computer.  
If you are installing HP VEE on an HP 9000 Series 700 computer, or on 
the HP 75000 Series C Model V/382 VXI Controller, an improper 
installation may, under certain circumstances, violate the integrity 
of your operating system kernel.


Models developed on earlier versions of HP VEE are forward compatible 
with version B.00.00 -- most will run without modification.  (In some 
cases, you may want to make minor modifications to optimize your models 
using the new features of version B.00.00.)  However, models developed 
on version B.00.00 of HP VEE are not backward compatible with earlier 
versions of HP VEE -- they must be run on version B.00.00 or a later 
version of HP VEE. (If you open a model using version B.00.00, and then 
save it, it is stored as a version B.00.00 model.)

Some additional compatibility issues are:

* GPIO support (HP VEE-Test only).  GPIO I/O devices are not supported 
for HP 9000 Series 700 workstations since there is not currently a 
GPIO interface card for the EISA I/O card cage used by Series 700.

* HP BASIC/UX support (HP VEE-Test only).  The "Initialize HP BASIC/UX" 
and "To/From HP BASIC/UX" objects are not supported for HP 9000 Series 
700 workstations since HP BASIC/UX is not currently supported for 
Series 700.


________________________________________________________________________
New HP VEE Manuals

The following manuals, provided with HP VEE version B.00.00, have been 
extensively revised to cover the new features:

* "Installing HP VEE-Engine and HP VEE-Test" (Edition 3, E2100-90012).

* "Using HP VEE-Engine and HP VEE-Test" (Edition 2, E2100-90011).

* "HP VEE-Engine and HP VEE-Test Reference" (Edition 2, E2100-90013).

These revised manuals should be used, not the earlier versions, 
with version B.00.00 of HP VEE.

Note that "Getting Started with HP VEE-Engine and HP VEE-Test" has 
not been revised -- Edition 1 continues to be supplied.  If you are 
new to HP VEE, be sure to read the "HP VEE Manual Errata" section at 
the end of these release notes for several corrections to this manual.


________________________________________________________________________
New HP VEE Version B.00.00 Features

Several new features have been introduced for version B.00.00 of HP VEE.  
These features are completely described in the "HP VEE Reference" and 
"Using HP VEE" manuals.  However, the following is a summary of "what's 
new":


User-Defined Functions:

HP VEE now provides three classes of user-defined functions:

* User Functions -- A User Function is a function that is made from a 
UserObject, and which can be called multiple times from within a model. 

* Compiled Functions -- A Compiled Function is a function that is made 
by compiling code written in another language such as C.

* Remote Functions -- A Remote Function is simply a User Function that 
is run on a remote host computer.

Chapter 11 of "Using HP VEE" covers User Functions, Compiled Functions, 
and Remote Functions in detail.

The following features and objects relate to user-defined functions, 
and are described in reference sections in the "HP VEE Reference" 
manual.

  Call Function
  Delete Library
  Import Library
  Merge Library


Records and DataSets:

HP VEE now provides a Record data type, which allows you to combine 
dissimilar data types into a single Record container.  A DataSet is a 
one-dimensional array of Records that is saved on disk. Refer to chapter 
10 in "Using HP VEE" for information on using Records and DataSets.

The following objects relate to Records and DataSets, and are described 
in reference sections in the "HP VEE Reference" manual.

  Build Record
  From DataSet
  Get Field
  Merge Record
  Record Constant
  Set Field
  SubRecord
  To DataSet
  UnBuild Record


Global Variables:

A global variable is a variable that is valid in any context of an 
HP VEE model. You can define a global variable by name with the 
"Set Global" object, and retrieve it with the "Get Global" object.  
Refer to "Using Global Variables" in chapter 3 of "Using HP VEE", 
and to the "HP VEE Reference" manual for details.


The Sequencer Object (HP VEE-Test Only):

The "Sequencer" is a single, transaction based object which calls 
User Functions, Compiled Functions, Remote Functions, and other 
functions in a specific order. It is usually used to perform a series 
of tests. Refer to the "Sequencer" section in the "HP VEE Reference" 
manual, and to chapter 13 in "Using HP VEE" for details.


VXI/MXI Backplane Support (HP VEE-Test Only):

HP VEE-Test now supports message-based VXI backplane access from 
an embedded HP 75000 Series C Model V/382 VXI Controller.  Also, 
HP 9000 Series 700 computers can access VXI card cages through the 
HP E1489I MXI Controller.  Refer to chapters 5 and 12, and appendix E 
of "Using HP VEE" for further information.


String Manipulation Operations

Several string manipulation operations have been added to HP VEE, all of 
which are documented in the "HP VEE Reference" manual. These include:

  strDown(str)                  (Converts a string to lowercase.)
  strFromLen(str,from,len)      (Extracts a sub-string.)
  strFromThru(str,from,thru)    (Extracts a sub-string.)
  strLen(str)                   (Returns the length of a string.)
  strPosChar(str,char)          (Searches for a character in a string.)
  strPosStr(str1,str2)          (Searches for a sub-string in a string.)
  strRev(str)                   (Reverses a string.)
  strTrim(str)                  (Trims leading and trailing blanks.)
  strUp(str)                    (Converts a string to uppercase.)


New Array Operations:

The following HP VEE objects are new, and are described in the 
"HP VEE Reference" manual:

  sort(x)            (Sorts an array.)
  totSize(x)         (Returns the total size of an array.)


The Beep Object:

The "Beep" object generates a tone of selectable frequency, duration, 
and volume.  Refer to the "HP VEE Reference" manual for details.


New Bitmap Capabilities:

The ability to select and integrate bitmaps has been extended. Not only 
can you select a bitmap for an icon, but you can select a GIF or xwd 
pixmap file, with full color capabilities.  Also, you can select a 
bitmap or pixmap file to use as the background for a panel view.  Refer 
to appendix A in "Using HP VEE" for further information.


Live Mode Off on Direct I/O (HP VEE-Test Only):

In previous versions of HP VEE-Test, HP Instrument Drivers have allowed 
you to specify "Live Mode Off" to indicate that an instrument is not 
present. This capability has been extended to the "Direct I/O" object 
as well.


XY Display Enhancements:

Several enhancements have been made to the XY Display objects 
("XY Trace", "Strip Chart", "Complex Plane", "X vs Y Plot", 
"Polar Plot", "Waveform", and the "Spectrum" objects).  For each of 
these displays, additional control pins are allowed ("Traces", "Scales", 
and "Title").  Also, a "Fill" choice has been added under the 
"Traces and Scales" object menu selection.  Two-byte (16-bit) characters 
such as Kanji can now be plotted.  Refer to the "HP VEE Reference" 
manual for details.


Enhanced Printing/Plotting Capabilities:

The following features have been added.

* Postscript printer support (including auto-scaling of the image).

* DeskJet 500C Color Printer support.

* "Show Description" feature.

* "Print Objects" feature.

* "Plotter Config" feature.


HP VEE-Engine Supports Named Pipes:

The "To/From Named Pipe" object has been added to HP VEE-Engine, and 
continues to be part of HP VEE-Test.


Saving Bus I/O Monitor Output (HP VEE-Test Only):

You can now use "To File" to save the output from the "Bus I/O Monitor" 
object.


Driver Writer's Tool (HP VEE-Test Only):

The Driver Writer's Tool (DWT) is a new utility program that allows 
you to create HP Instrument Drivers.  Refer to appendix D of "Using 
HP VEE" for details.


Enhancements to the "veedoc" Utility:

The capabilities of the "veedoc" utility have been enhanced, allowing 
you to better document your model.  Refer to appendix D of "Using 
HP VEE" for details.


New Line Routing Scheme:

In previous versions of HP VEE, it was not easy to tell whether crossed 
lines were connected, or just crossing. Starting with version B.00.00, 
all connected lines come off from other lines with a 45 degree "double 
bend," while unconnected lines continue to cross at 90 degrees.  This 
makes it easy to tell whether or not crossing lines are connected within 
your model.


New instrument drivers have been added to HP VEE-Test:

  hp3324a.cid, hp34401a.cid, hp4194a.cid, hp535x.cid, hp5372a.cid, 
  hp5373a.cid, hp5412x.cid, hp54600a.cid, hp54601a.cid, hp661xx.cid, 
  hp6625a.cid, hp6626a.cid, hp6628a.cid, hp6629a.cid, hp70100a.cid, 
  hp70340a.cid, hp7061x.cid, hp8510b5.cid, hp8510c.cid, hp8751a.cid, 
  hp8753c.cid, hp8757d.cid, hp8757d4.cid, hp8757d5.cid, hp8757d6.cid, 
  hp8757e.cid, hp8757e4.cid, hp8757e5.cid, hp8757e6.cid, hp8904a.cid, 
  hpe1340a.cid, hpe140x.cid, hpe1420.cid, hpe1428a.cid, hpe1445a.cid, 
  hpe1446a.cid

Note that the driver "hpe140x.cid", which supports the HP 1405A/B and 
HP 1406, replaces the driver "hpe1405a.cid".


Objects Replaced:

Several objects have been replaced with objects having new names and, 
in some cases, functionality.  However, note that the old objects in 
your existing programs will continue to work as they have in the past.  
(You don't need to replace them unless you want to.)

* "Device Event" replaces "HP-IB Serial Poll".

* "Execute Program" replaces "HP-UX Escape" (just a new name, no 
  change to functionality).

* "If/Then/Else" replaces "If/Then" (just a new name, no change 
  to functionality).

* "Interface Operations" replaces "HP-IB Bus Operations" .

* "Interface Event" replaces "Wait for SRQ".

* "Meter" replaces "VU Meter" (just a new name, no change to 
  functionality).

* "now()" replaces "Time Stamp".

* "Raise Error" replaces "Escape" (just a new name, no change 
  to functionality.)


________________________________________________________________________
HP VEE Examples Reorganized

The examples shipped with HP VEE-Engine and HP VEE-Test have been 
reorganized.  As before, all of the examples are found in directories 
under:

  /usr/lib/veeengine/examples/
  
  or
  
  /usr/lib/veetest/examples/

However, some of the individual directories have been changed, as 
have their contents. The current directories under "examples/" are 
as follows. (Those directories listed as "HP VEE-Test only" are 
provided only with HP VEE-Test, not with HP VEE-Engine.)

  Directory:      Contents:

  3852A/          (HP VEE-Test only.)  Data acquisition examples showing 
                  the use of the HP 3852A Data Acquisition and Control 
                  Unit with HP VEE-Test.

  applications/   Complete models of different types of engineering 
                  problems solved with HP VEE.

  concepts/       Models to demonstrate general concepts of how to use 
                  HP VEE.  (Most of the manual examples are found here.)

  escapes/        Example files to demonstrate various techniques for 
                  escaping from HP VEE to other UNIX processes.

  games/          Games written in HP VEE.  Try them, they're fun!

  instr_io/       (HP VEE-Test only.)  Example files showing instrument
                  I/O with HP VEE-Test.

  lib/            Example files that show the use of the "lib" objects 
                  supplied in the "/usr/lib/veeengine/lib" or the 
                  "/usr/lib/veetest/lib" directory.

  mfgtest/        (HP VEE-Test only.)  Example files showing the 
                  application of HP VEE-Test in the manufacturing test 
                  environment.

  rmb/            (HP VEE-Test, HP 9000 Series 300/400 only).  Example 
                  files showing the use of HP BASIC/UX with HP VEE.

Please note that this list supersedes the list given on page 3-19 of 
"Getting Started with HP VEE-Engine and HP VEE-Test."

"Using HP VEE-Engine and HP VEE-Test" refers to several "manual 
examples," which are illustrated in the manual.  These examples have 
been renamed to make them easier to find.  They are now called 
"manual01.ex", "manual02.ex", and so forth.  (Most of these manual 
examples are in the "concepts/" subdirectory.)


________________________________________________________________________
HP VEE Manual Errata

There are a few errata in the manual "Getting Started with HP VEE-Engine 
and HP VEE-Test."


Corrections to Chapter 2, "Interacting with HP VEE":

Because new features have been added for HP VEE version B.00.00, some 
of the menus have changed slightly. Thus, the menu illustrations in 
chapter 2 differ from the current release. In particular, the File menu 
(figure 2-3), the Flow menu (figure 2-4), and the Edit menu (figure 2-8) 
have changed.

In the section "Exploring Pins and Terminals," the last paragraph on 
page 2-25 should read:

  In the open view of an object, if "Show Terminals" is active, the data 
  input pins and data output pins are shown as input and output 
  "terminals", which display information about the pin. To change the 
  terminal information, double click on the terminal's description field 
  and then fill out the dialog box that appears.


Corrections to Chapter 3, "Creating Models":

Step 1 under "Writing to a File" on page 3-5 should read:

  1. Minimize "For Count" and decrease the size of the "XY Trace" by 
     using the "Size" selection from the "XY Trace" object menu.

Step 3 under "Reading From a File" on page 3-7 should read:

  3. Click on the transaction field (the field below "From File"). 
     The "I/O Transaction" dialog box will appear.  Now click on 
     "SCALAR", and the "Select Read Dimension" dialog box will appear.  
     Select "ARRAY 1D" for the dimension.  The default size of the array 
     is "10".  Thus, HP VEE will read a one-dimensional array of exactly 
     10 elements.

"Exercise 6: Using HP VEE Examples" on page 3-19 gives a list of 
examples directories.  This list has been extended as described in the 
previous section of these release notes, "HP VEE Examples Reorganized."

In the quiz on page 3-21, question number 4, the reference to 
"Integer objects" should say "Real objects."

In the answers to the quiz on page 3-23, the name of the example should 
be "torsion1.ex", not "torsionbar.ex".
