About tags
Tags assign additional information to objects in order to make the objects more accessible and flexible for search and system design. Tags also facilitate the design and use of hierarchical organization in a station user interface, whether you are working with an Enterprise Supervisor station or a single controller station.
Note: The tags available for use are defined in the tag dictionaries installed on your station.
Tag structure
A tag contains different parts that, together, make the tag useful as additional information on objects in a station. The following diagram shows the four basic parts of a tag.
The following table provides definitions of the different parts of a tag:
| Item | Tag Element | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tag Id | The tag Id is comprised of a dictionary and name, generally displayed as two pieces of text separated by a colon: dictionaryNamespace:name. |
| 2 | Tag dictionary | The dictionary string is used to link or assign a tag to a particular "namespace" (tag dictionary). This is typically a very short string of only a few characters. Note: If the dictionary is not defined (empty string), the Id is displayed with just the name. |
| 3 | Tag name | The name string provides the semantic information and is often paired with the tag value. |
| 4 | Tag value | A string value assigned to the tag for more information, for example: building name, device name, location, or other. |
Types of tags
The following table describes types of tags that may be used on the system:
- Tag type
- Description
- Direct tags
- Direct tags are tags that you add intentionally to a component using an installed tag dictionary or an Ad Hoc tag. In its simplest form, a tag on a component is a component “property”, with a non-component value and a metaData flag set. The property name is a string form of the tag Id. In the Edit Tags dialog box, direct Ttags are listed under the Direct Tags tab.
- Implied tags
- Implied tags are tags that are not directly stored in the component, but are implied by tag rules that are defined in installed Smart Tag Dictionaries. These tags are typically the remapping of existing component properties to the semantic naming convention defined in a tag dictionary. In the Edit Tags dialog box. Implied tags are listed under the Implied Tags tab.
- Ad Hoc tags
- An Ad Hoc tag, also a direct tag, is one that you create in the Add Tag dialog box just before adding it to a component. Ad hoc tags are not included in any tag dictionary.