Channel Access Markup Language

Description

CAML is an XML based language for describing various channel access controls. In practice, CAML is used to layout and configure controls for display within a modern, HTML, CSS, SVG and JavaScript standards compliant web browser such as Safari and Firefox. CAML is supported on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows.

CAML communicates with servers using the standard EPICS Channel Access client libraries through the Web CA Plugin. A web browser is used to render the controls and can be integrated with other web content.

The CAML project is managed at SNS in Oak Ridge National Lab and the development work is contracted to Cosy Lab. Special thanks to Matej and his team at Cosy Lab who work on this project.

CAML Controls

News

1. Presentation from the 2009 ICALEPCS conference
   

Features

1. Documented XML based language
   

2. CAML namespace for integration with XHTML content
   

3. Uses the Web CA plugin for channel access client access using the standard EPICS client libraries
   

4. XSLT transform to display CAML within a web browser
   

5. CSS support to enforce formatting standards
   

Known Issues

1. The Slider control causes Safari to crash when present on the same page as an “advanced chart”
   

2. Plots are way too slow
   

Getting CAML

For all platforms, you can download CAML and the Web CA Plugin source code from Cosy Lab.

The EPICS Client Installer for Intel Macs running Leopard or Snow Leopard installs the Web CA Plugin and CAML and is compatible with both 32 and 64 bit web browsers.