PAC Control: Unusual behavior when debugging string tables with non-printable ASCII characters

Applies To:

PAC Control Basic
PAC Control Professional

Versions Affected:

Issue affects: All versions

Symptoms:

When inspecting string tables using the ASCII string view in PAC Control Debug mode, you may experience unusual behavior when the string table contains non-printable ASCII characters. Examples of non-printable ASCII characters include:

Null (NUL; HEX: 00)
Escape (ESC; HEX: 1B)
Cancel (CAN; HEX: 18)

Note that this issue is apparent only in the ASCII string view; the data appears normally when you use the Hex string view.

The following images demonstrate behaviors that have been reported.
Index 0 contains ABC~°± Null
Index 1 contains Null ABC~°
Index 2 contains A Escape B Null Cancel C
Index 3 contains ~°± Escape Cancel

Hex String View:

ASCII String View:

Note that any characters following the Null character become invisible in ASCII string view.

Workaround:

To view or edit string tables containing non-printable ASCII characters, use the Hex string view.

Resolution:

Opto 22 is investigating this issue.

Questions?

Contact: Opto 22 Product Support.
Phone: 800-835-6786 or 951-695-3080
Email: support@opto22.com

DISCLAIMER

This Opto 22 Knowledge Base ('OptoKB') article is intended to provide general technical information on a particular subject or subjects and is not an exhaustive treatment of such subjects. Accordingly, the information in this OptoKB article is not intended to constitute application, design, software, or other professional engineering advice or services. Opto 22 may modify the OptoKB articles at any time. Before making any decision or taking any action which might affect your equipment, you should consult a qualified professional.

OPTO 22 DOES NOT WARRANT THE COMPLETENESS, TIMELINESS, OR ACCURACY OF THE DATA CONTAINED IN THIS OPTOKB ARTICLE AND MAY MAKE CHANGES THERETO AT ANY TIME AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION WITHOUT NOTICE. FURTHER, ALL INFORMATION CONVEYED HEREBY IS PROVIDED TO USERS 'AS IS.' IN NO EVENT SHALL OPTO 22 BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS PROFIT, OR DAMAGE, EVEN IF OPTO 22 HAS BEEN ADVISED ON THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

OPTO 22 DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION (INCLUDING HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND/OR FIRMWARE) PROVIDED HEREBY, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, MERCHANTIBILITY, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. Note that certain jurisdictions do not sanction the exclusion of implied warranties: thus, this disclaimer may not apply to you.