Option to disable auto-generation of group addresses when adding Functions
Gepland
When adding a new Function to a room (for instance switchable light, dimmable light etc) [1], you get a popup prompting you to name it, or add additional functions. Upon clicking "OK", the functions are created and some group addresses are auto-generated with names based on the function type [3]. Most commonly, I don't want those auto-generated group addresses, so I have to delete them manually before linking the group addresses I would like. I can achieve this by adding a "Custom function", but I like the icons that are related to the other Functions (for instance a lamp on a function involving lights).
What I would like to see implemented, is a checkbox that can be unchecked in order to not auto-generate the group addresses. See image [4] that I edited.
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
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Officiële opmerking
Hi Etienne, Thank you for the questions - they are very welcome.
The Groups that are auto-created within a Function inherit their Semantics. At least that is the intention and the reason why a Group is called e.g. "Switching" only, when it is in a Function of type switched Light which itself is in a Room of type Kitchen. The name of a Group has no semantic value, especially not across languages.
We still have a long way to go when it comes to Semantics in ETS, but you will see some of indication of that already in ETS6.4.0 in the Group Address View.
When the Functions (and all that belongs with them) were first introduced to ETS as an experiment, this indeed triggered an internal project on the need for a much greater catalog of Functions as well as their accompanying Groups and fitting Device Semantics. We are still on that Journey now. Yes, slower than we all hoped, but the result will be convincing.
Yes, KNX and ETS offers the greatest flexibility and with the incredible choice in Manufacturers and Devices, the greatest reliability in the System for Buildings and Homes - for any years to come. But it comes with the cost in efficiency. At least for now.
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Hi I am looking also to remove the auto-generation of group addresses - is this possible please?
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Alexander, Suzanne, thanks for your input. I understand you use the functions for the icons but delete all auto-generated Group Addresses (GAs) to then add your custom ones. May I ask what it is that you are missing in the auto-generated GAs?
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Hi Michael, I also use the same method.
In order to use the automatically generated GAs, these should have at least the name of the function created as a prefix or suffix, in addition to the function type [3] (described by Alexander).
Currently all automatically generated GAs have the same name even if they have different functions.
Thank you1 -
@Michael Critchfield: I'm not missing anything in particular from you, but my way of creating group addresses differ very from the way ETS generates them.
First of all, I don't make the group addresses all in the same main and middle group. They are separated into main groups by function, then middle group represents the floor (typically), then the sub group represents the room. Sure, I could just move those, but I like to create the group addresses before I make the functions.
Furthermore, I often (most likely) don't use those types of group addresses ETS generates, so I'll have to delete some anyway. As it's impossible to actually delete group addresses from within the function, I'll have to navigate to the group addresses tab and find them there. It's not always intuitive to know where they are created even.
And the language is an issue as well. It's conventional in my country (at least) to write the names of the group addresses in my native language (Norwegian), so the English generated names make no sense.
And lastly, I often auto-generate group addresses whenever I start a project. This means that the group addresses exist in my structure, but the functions do not. I'll have to generate those functions that will generate group addresses. This is what leads me to delete them all, all the time.
It should be pretty easy to add this option, in my opinion. It's just a boolean checkbox and an if statement in the code. Sure, you'll have to create some extra unit tests, but not much work.
If anything is unclear or you want me to expand further, I'll be happy to oblige.
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Alexander, thanks for providing such detail! We will consider your input in upcoming Releases!
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Hello,
Is there any update regarding this feature? Almost 3 years from the last admin reply?
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Georgi
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Hi Georgi, I appreciate your enquiry.
It is indeed the case, that the KNX Association is currently discussing a new approach to the entire topic of Application Functions with its Members. A change here will come, at this time I must ask you to bring a little bit more patience.
I believe it will be worth it.
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Hello Michael,
Thanks for your swift response!
Really glad to hear that KNX is working on this solution. However, I hope KNX Association is working on another updates that may improve the UX experience as well.
Regarding the Group Addresses - i hope we should not be waiting for another 3 years haha :)
Have a great weekend!
Regards,
Georgi
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Good day,
Apologies if my questions/suggestions have been asked/answered in the past ... I'm new to KNX and ETS 6.3.1 and learning every day. I was wondering why on earth does the GA names that is auto created when I add a function, have generic names and doesn't include the function name as prefix? I have to go edit each GA name.
Also, why are there only 6 functions? Surely this could be expanded with more general functions, like fan, pumps, etc.I find everything within ETS very slow to get the simplest of things done, but maybe this is just how the KNX world work. Max flexibility, however a lot of time for programming.
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There's a workaround to create empty Functions – you need to create one Function of the desired type (which creates the unnecessary addresses, yes, but you can delete those later easily), but the subsequent copies you can create without any GAs. You can use the plain Paste command, or you can use the Paste Special command (Group Addresses – Don't Copy is set by default).
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