This presentation was given by Chris Kirchberg @chris_kirchberg on June 16th, 2020.
Introduction
- What is an Add-in?
- A mechanism to deploy sophisticate/complicated JSL script to JMP users who are not JSL scripters
- Non-experienced/beginners of JSL scripting can take advantage of the mechanism as well
- It is a single file that any JMP user can install and use just like any other part of JMP. They usually contain scripts that might perform a multitude of functions
- Why would I create one and use one?
- Performing routine multi-step processes with a simple click on a menu item
- Such as connecting to a database, extract data, manipulate it, graph it, and analyze it
- Extend functionality of JMP
- Creating a custom user interface that may simplify a common workflow
- Connecting to other programing languages such as R, Python, Matlab, and SAS to give access to additional analytic tools not found natively in JMP/JMP Pro
- Create reusable, deployable dashboards within the JMP Framework
- Who would use an Add-in?
- Anybody who uses JMP but finds themselves doing routine multi-step processes/actions and wants to save time
- Anyone who uses JMP and wants to add additional capabilities
- Anyone who uses JMP and wants their co-workers who use JMP to be more productive with JMP but may not be very JMP savvy
- How do I create an Add-in?
- First, you need a script
- Where this script comes from depends on where you are starting
- The Add-in Builder will typically be initiated from different starting points
- The next sections will cover how to open the Add-in Builder from the different starting points
NOTE: you can manually create an Add-in without using the Add-in Builder, but that would be for some advanced options not found in the Add-in Builder. See "Where to go for more" section below
The Add-In Builder
- The quickest way to invoke the Add-in Builder is going to File>New>Add-in (Windows OS)
- macOS users go to File > New > New Add-In).
- The Add-in Builder window will appear
There are 5 tabs that appear, each with their own function. Details of each tab are given in the Online Help Link in the "Where to go for more" section below
We will take a brief over view of each tab live within JMP
General Tab: Used for identifying the Add-in and restrictions around it
Menu Items: Where the main script resides for each defined Menu item
Start-up Script: The script that will be run when JMP starts (and the Add-in starts)
Exit Script: The script that will be run when JMP closes or the Add-in is disabled
Additional Files: All the files that the Add-in will use that is not already defined in the previous tabs
Application and Dashboard Builder
- When in either the Application Builder or the Dashboard Builder, one can go directly to the Add-in Builder
- To do this, click the red triangle and select Save script > To Add-In
- This will copy over the script that represents the current Application or Dashboard into the Menu Items section of the Add-in Builder
- The rest of the process of creating an Add-in is the same as in the previous section
Examples
A couple of examples were given and two exercises referenced. They are in the Journal within the zip file attached to this post.
