5.3.3.4 MultiStateValueDiscreteType

This VariableType defines the general characteristics of a DiscreteItem that can have more than two states and where the state values (the enumeration) do not consist of consecutive numeric values (can have gaps) or where the enumeration is not zero-based. The MultiStateValueDiscreteType derives from the DiscreteItemType. It is formally defined in Table 11.

EnumValues is an array of EnumValueType. Each entry of the array represents one enumeration value with its integer notation, a human-readable representation, and help information. This represents enumerations with integers that are not zero-based or have gaps (e.g. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16). See OPC 10000-3 for the definition of this type. MultiStateValueDiscrete Variables expose the current integer notation in their Value Attribute. Clients will often read the EnumValues Property in advance and cache it to lookup a name or help whenever they receive the numeric representation.

Only DataTypes that can be represented with EnumValues are allowed for Variables of MultiStateValueDiscreteType. These are Integers up to 64 Bits (signed and unsigned).

Clients should be prepared to handle item values outside of the range of the list; and robust Servers should be prepared to handle writes of illegal values, by providing error code “Bad_OutOfRange”.

The numeric representation of the current enumeration value is provided via the Value Attribute of the MultiStateValueDiscrete Variable. If the Value is scalar, the ValueAsText Property provides the localized text representation of the enumeration value. It can be used by Clients only interested in displaying the text to subscribe to the Property instead of the Value Attribute. If the Value is not scalar then ValueAsText should be Null. In that case, Clients can use the EnumValues Property to lookup the display information.

The StatusCode SemanticsChanged bit shall be set if the EnumValues Property value is changed (see clause 5.2 for additional information).