Modular software development provides several benefits, including the following:
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Improves tracking deployment and versioning
Modular development assists in tracking the deployment and versioning of Niagara features and releases. For example, if a new driver is available to be added to NiagaraAX Framework, it can be packaged, delivered, and added in as a single module or with multiple modules, using the NiagaraAX software manager, as shown in Figure 8. Refer to the Platform Guide section “Software Manager” for more information about managing modules.
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Requires less space on JACE
Niagara’s modular development allows you to save space on your JACE by only installing the modules that you need and choose for that JACE.
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Requires less space on the workstation
When you install NiagaraAX, you can choose the modules that you want to install with your application and omit any modules that you do not need. Later, if want to add additional modules you can do so with the Software Manager (as shown in Figure 8).
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Create new modules
Software developers can use the tools in NiagaraAX to create new (.jar) modules and deploy them using the New Module Wizard, as shown in Figure 9. Refer to New Module wizard for more details about the New Module Wizard.
Starting in AX-3.7, you can also create “synthetic modules,” which does not require developer level knowledge. Refer to the
engineering notes document NiagaraAX Synthetic Modules for details.