PalmSens MethodSCRIPT

Language support for PalmSens MethodSCRIPT™ - the scripting language designed for integrating PalmSens electrochemistry instruments and modules into your applications.

About MethodSCRIPT

MethodSCRIPT™ is a powerful scripting language that gives you full control over PalmSens potentiostats and electrochemistry modules. It allows you to customize and combine measurement techniques, perform data analysis, and control external peripherals - all without requiring DLLs or code libraries.

Learn more: PalmSens MethodSCRIPT | MethodSCRIPT Manual | Code Examples

Features

Language Support

• Syntax Highlighting: Color-coded display of commands, keywords, variables, and comments
• Intelligent Code Completion:
  • Command suggestions with parameter hints
  • Variable name completion
  • VarType completions for measurement configuration
  • Context-aware suggestions based on cursor position
• Real-time Validation:
  • Instant error detection as you type
  • Variable declaration checking
  • SI prefix validation
  • Parameter type validation
  • Duplicate variable detection
• Code Formatting: Automatic indentation and formatting
• Quick Fixes: Automatic variable declaration suggestions
• Hover Documentation: Detailed command information on hover

Device Communication

• Serial Port Connection: Connect to PalmSens devices via USB/Serial
• Send Scripts to Device: Send your MethodSCRIPT code directly to connected devices
• Live Communication View: Monitor data sent to and received from devices
  • Color-coded messages (blue for sent, green for received)
  • Timestamps for each message
  • Auto-scroll to latest messages
  • Click to copy messages
  • Export communication log
• Status Bar Integration: See connection status at a glance
• Auto-connect: Optionally reconnect to last used device on startup
• Send-on-Save: Optionally send scripts automatically when saving files

Commands

• Connect to Device: Browse and connect to available serial ports
• Disconnect from Device: Disconnect from current device
• Send Script to Device: Send the active MethodSCRIPT file (Ctrl+Shift+U / Cmd+Shift+U)
• Show Device Communication: Open the communication view panel
• Refresh Device List: Rescan for available devices

Configuration

Device Communication Settings

Configure device communication in VS Code settings (File → Preferences → Settings):

{
    "methodscript.device.baudRate": 115200,
    "methodscript.device.dataBits": 8,
    "methodscript.device.stopBits": 1,
    "methodscript.device.parity": "none",
    "methodscript.device.autoConnect": false,
    "methodscript.device.sendOnSave": false,
    "methodscript.device.timeout": 5000
}

Settings Details:

• baudRate: Serial port baud rate (default: 115200)
• dataBits: Number of data bits (7 or 8, default: 8)
• stopBits: Number of stop bits (1 or 2, default: 1)
• parity: Parity setting ("none", "even", or "odd", default: "none")
• autoConnect: Automatically reconnect to last device on startup (default: false)
• sendOnSave: Automatically send script when file is saved (default: false)
• timeout: Communication timeout in milliseconds (default: 5000)

Platform-Specific Notes

Windows:

• Devices typically appear as COM1, COM2, etc.
• May require driver installation for some devices
• Admin rights might be needed for first connection

macOS:

• Devices appear as /dev/tty.usbserial-* or /dev/cu.*
• May need to approve extension in Security preferences
• No admin rights typically required

Linux:

• Devices appear as /dev/ttyUSB* or /dev/ttyACM*
• User must be in dialout group: sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER
• May need udev rules for specific devices
• Logout/login required after adding to dialout group

Language Features

Supported File Extensions

• .mscr - MethodSCRIPT files
• .mscript - MethodSCRIPT files

Bracket Matching

The extension supports bracket matching for:

• if / endif
• loop / endloop
• meas_loop_* / endloop

Validation Rules

The extension validates:

1. Variable declarations: Variables must be declared before use
2. SI prefixes: Must be valid single characters (a,f,p,n,u,m,k,M,G,T,P,E)
3. Measurement loops: First two parameters must be variables, not literals
4. Duplicate variables: Output parameters must be different
5. pck_add: Can only reference declared variables