Maintaining the database.dat file

A properly configured DCSS requires a database.dat file.

The database.dat file contains the following information:

• List of all DHS programs allowed to connect to DCSS.

• List of all devices controlled by DCSS.

• Each device's last known position and/or state.

• Name of the DHS controlling each device.

• All other dynamic information regarding the device (e.g. software limits, scale factors, etc)

• Run definitions.

The database.dat file is memory mapped, allowing the operating system to keep the file as up-to-date as possible. Because the file is memory mapped, it is not possible to edit the file directly with a text editor. Instead, DCSS has the ability to transform the database.dat file into a text file. The text file can be edited and DCSS can create a new database.dat file from the modified file.