GetLinx update application

Click here to download the latest version of the GetLinx application.

Purpose

The purpose of the tool is twofold:

• It allows you to manage a Linx installation on a computer that has limited or no internet access (the default setting is to pull the latest updates from the internet).
• It allows you to replicate a Linx environment across multiple machines (similar application and plugin versions).

By default, Linx updates (application and plugins) are retrieved from the internet.  This application will allow the user to create a local copy of all the necessary update files that can be copied and used in multiple places.  This in effect allows him to lock Linx to a specific version and have greater control about when updates will be installed.

Usage

GetLinx.exe is a command-line application that can be configured using several (optional) input parameters:

• -p: The base target folder where the plugin and installation packages will be saved.  If not specified, a new directory called “Feeds” will be created in the same directory that the application was launched from.  Two subdirectories, “App” and “Plugins” will be created inside this directory.
• -v: The name of a version manifest file that contains metadata about the application and plugins that must be downloaded.  If not specified, the latest version of the application and plugins will be retrieved.
• -i: The target folder where the application installer (exe) will be saved.  If not specified, a new directory called “Installer” will be created in the same directory that the application was launched from.
• -l: The path to a log file.  When the application is executed, it will write all of its output to the console, but it can be useful to log the output results to a log file for analysis.

Common usage scenarios:

• Pull all the latest updates and log the output:

GetLinx.exe –l “c:\temp\GetLinxLog.txt”

• Pull specific versions and log the output:

GetLinx.exe –v “c:\temp\GetTheseFiles.xml” –l “c:\temp\GetLinxLog.txt”

 

Version manifest file

The version manifest file is an XML file that contains metadata about the files (application and plugin) that must be retrieved.  This can for example allow the user to download only selected plugin files that are necessary in their environment.  The file can either be generated manually (see structure below) or downloaded from a preconfigured Linx Server by going to the Plugins page and clicking on the “Download Version Manifest” button.

The manifest file has the following structure:

• The installation element contains the version of the application to retrieve, e.g. “5.10.550.8839” in this case.  If the version is not specified, the latest released version will be retrieved.
• The plugins element contains a list of all the plugins to retrieve.  All plugin entries have a name and a version.  If the version is not specified, the latest compatible version will be retrieved.   If an incompatible version is specified, a warning will be logged.
• If no plugin entries are specified, all the latest compatible plugins will be retrieved.

 

Configuring Linx

Once the necessary files have been retrieved, you must configure your Linx installation to retrieve updates from a local path (and not the internet).  To do so, you need a Linx license that allows you to override the default repository settings.  Once you have installed the license, open a Linx designer and go to the settings window (File –> Settings).

• In the “Application update repository” field, enter the path where the application package was saved.  If you for example specified a target folder of “C:\GetLinx\Feeds” when running GetLinx.exe, the path will be “C:\GetLinx\Feeds\App”.
• In the “Plugin update repository” field, enter the path where the plugin packages were saved.  If you for example specified a target folder of “C:\GetLinx\Feeds” when running GetLinx.exe, the path will be “C:\GetLinx\Feeds\Plugins”.

If you now restart the Linx designer, it will retrieve updates from the local path.

Linx 5.7.481.8722 released

All new Linx Server

This release includes a brand new Linx Server. We now make extensive use of metrics to show you what is happening on the server. Here are some screen shots.

Server

Solution

Service

Expression Editor

The Expression Editor does automatic type conversions for incompatible types. It also allows the use of Linq queries like List.Count() or List.Where(x=>x.Name=="john").

Database plugin

The Database plugin has improved MongoDb support and we've added a MongoDbMapReduce function.

Excel plugin

The Excel plugin now supports reading ranges from multiple sheets in a spreadsheet, all without needing to have Excel installed.

Web plugin

The Web plugin has improved support for wsdl formats and several bugs were fixed.

Xml plugin

The Xml plugin now supports schemas with names containing illegal characters. We also allow mapping between the names in the schema and the name you want to see in Linx.

Release notes

• Fix GetTypeReference bug on DesignerContext for complex expressions.
• Update plugin.
• Allow CSharpExpressions on custom types and lists.
• Check expression result type to determine conversion logic in compiler.
• Fix implicit operator bug.
• Allow xml values in UI.
• Only allow JSON or XML string values for complex types.
• Fix WCF error handling between host and service.
• Fix Settings index error.
• Display Cut/Copy options on Folder item.
• Determine expressions return type, automatic type conversion.
• Fix compiler error when double-clicking on a lsoz file. The working directory was not correct.
• Add List functions to ExpressionEditor.
• Fix reference scope bug when moving function in same process.
• Update LinxServer with new UI and metrics.
• Allow for simple values in list parameter.
• Compile in temp dir.
• Show empty list in debug values.
• Fix plugin loading bug for mismatched third-party libraries (e.g. Json.Net).
• Only use compatible NuGet dependencies when querying NuGet package information.
• Fix signed service not starting.
• Update UnknownType icon.
• Updated Installer Grey Button styles (for installer, close and uninstall).
• Changed the button styles of disabled primary buttons in Linx Designer to be greyed out (no background).
• Upgrade plugins to enable namespaces changes.

Linx 4.0.1007 released

Release notes

• Fix SOAP Web service response with embedded record not returning results.
• Compile in temp dir instead of in solution file path.
• Add Timeout property to SendMailSmtp.
• Add Timeout property to BarcodeReader.

Linx 5.6.352.8421 released

Release notes

• Update NuGet packages.
• Designer style changes.
• Change tab order of Save and Cancel.
• Fix compiler error for embedded try-catch.
• Remove input parameter results in compile exception.
• Remove "Prefer 32-bit" flag from project.
• Change PropertyGrid tab order.
• Windows menu is incorrect after floating window.
• Install MSMQ with LinxServer.
• Change name selection when adding a Function.
• Complete border around property windows.
• Change border of editor windows to those used by property windows.
• Remove shadow around window.
• Fix setting convertion error in designer context.
• Change ServiceEvent so that it never throws exceptions.
• Increase CheckForUpdates timeout.
• Exception on Run window has incorrect layout.
• Inline solution name edit do not follow file naming conventions.
• Update plugin.
• Debug of DirectoryWatch.CreatedEvent throws exception.
• Change color of debug toolbar.
• Ctrl-F to focus on Search box.
• Object reference error when deleting single setting that is referenced.
• Add Delete and Find References context menu on Settings.
• Property window blank when click in empty Process.

Plugins with major updates

Database

• Add variable panel to SQLEditor.
• Fix ExecuteSql. Duplicate variable in ODBC sql causes error.

Json

• Change tab order of Save and Cancel.
• Remove JsonReader IsList property and add List to OutputType.

Utilities

• Fix object reference error when opening days editor with expression value.
• Fix TimerService. Service stops when next interval is missed.
• Log exact CommandLine command.

Web

• Change tab order of Save and Cancel.
• Fix CallSOAPWebService to unwrap TargetInvocationException.
• Fix SOAPService and RESTService to relay process exceptions.
• Fix SOAPService. Calling method with "password" parameter does not show input parameter.
• Enable https calls for old web services.

Linx 4.0.999 released

Release notes

• Fix ExtractString: References in StartValue and EndValue when StringInRange is true do not resolve when loading a solution.
• Fix database components: Varchar output param does not return complete string.
• Fix SplitString error with empty fields.
• Improved attachment file saving on ReadMailPop3 to cater for concurrency.
• Improved attachment file saving on ReadMailIMAP to cater for concurrency.

Linx 5.5.305.8308 released

Release notes

• Add Linx Service dependency on KeyIso Service to avoid start-up timeout.
• Add parameter value logging for external project processes.
• Improve logging of parameters.
• Add list type validation for ForEach.
• Add scrollbar to error section on Run UI.
• Fix intermittent rollback of solutions on Linx Server.
• Improve property grid tabbing behavior.
• Improve logging of strings.
• Fix DoWhile conditions affected by logging.
• Update code-signing certificate in installer.

Linx 5.4.287.8256 released

This release contains changes to the UI, an Output window, Search, Find References, improved logging and numerous smaller changes.

Output window



Search



Find References

Release notes

• Fix SetValue exception when setting compiled type.
• Fix LinxServer comment file exception when upgrading format.
• Fix read license file and installation file without locking.
• Fix display applicable icon for launch editor.
• Fix close file stream when checking for Linx 4 solution.
• Throw error for invalid conversions in JSON Expression, e.g. "Five" to int.
• Throw error for invalid conversions in XML Expression, e.g. "Five" to int.
• Allow exception to bubble up if call in event fails.
• Fix deployment of solution with special characters (e.g. &) in name.
• Do not overwrite NLog configuration if loaded from config.
• Improve Linx Server logging.
• Add Search.
• Fix drop-down nullable-typed properties.
• Add logging for AddToList.
• Make server usernames case-insensitive.
• Do not allow empty username or password.
• Add Find References.
• Add logging for AddToList.
• Add logging for ClearList.
• Add logging for ForEach.
• Add logging for SetValue.
• Add logging for ThrowException.
• Add logging for DoWhile.
• Add logging for IfElse.
• Add logging for TryCatch.
• Add logging for RunProcess.
• Fix scroll bar color.
• Fix debug value bug for expanded children with same name.
• Redraw flow diagram after specified delay.
• Changed Debug related analytics.
• Fix right-click below last instance shows incorrect menu.
• Fix SetValue dropdown after selecting StringBuilder type.
• Add Output window.
• Fix dropdown option tree style.
• Fix resource selector dropdown style.
• Update plugin to 12.0.0.
• Update icons for AddToList and ClearList.
• Change tab order: Process Input and Output Fields editor.
• Change tab order: CustomType.Value Set Fields editor.
• Change tab order: CustomType Edit Fields editor.
• Change CustomType tab order.
• Throw detailed exception when plugins can't update.
• Requery update information for plugins after application update.
• Fix only copy settings file on rollback if it exists.
• Fix cannot uninstall deprecated plugins.
• Update welcome screen.
• Debug window layout saved.
• Change Designer tabs.
• Replace window dock menu with float/dock toggle.
• Fix AddToList not picking up list changes. 
• Make properties in JSON and XML case-insensitive.
• Fix SolutionHost failing after Service exception.

Linx 4.0.987 released

Release notes

• Add FIX components.
• Bug: PdfConcat to close all resources used.
• Bug: Barcode reader not reading Adobe Lifecycle barcodes.
• WebServiceHelper includes xsds referenced through Import elements during WSDL import.
• XmlParser support ref= attributes in xsd.
• Add OMGEO components.
• Bug: SFTP connection re-use logic compared wrong fields.
• Change REST output from Value to Values.
• Updated Validation dll. Added DateTime2 validator to support .Net datetime formats.
• Add duplicate field validation to SplitString.
• WebServiceData closes web stream for schema before recursively loading other referenced schemas.
• Only open windows on screens that are attached.
• WebServiceData add MessagePartsToSign property.
• WebService components import XmlSchemaIncludes in addition to XmlSchemaImports.
• WebServiceCall refine MTOM functionality.
• Run button on SqlEditor now use commandtimeout.