I have to admit that though I was a programmer most of my life, I can't figure out how to do conditionals in Rule Machine. It just doesn't make sense. The pseudo code for what I want to do is:
If (CERTAIN_SWITCH == on) THEN {
TURN OFF ANOTHER_SWITCH
WAIT 2 MINUTES
TURN ON ANOTHER_SWITCH
} ELSE {
TURN ON ANOTHER_SWITCH
WAIT 2 MINUTES
TURN OFF ANOTHER_SWITCH
}
END IF
I mean, I've coded in Fortran, C, C++, JAVA, etc. etc. etc. and I just can't get the GUI to allow me to do this. I have looked for a tutorial. And man would I have love to pop open a file in vi and go to town.
Anyway, can anyone point me in the right direction? I seem to get stopped in "there's nothing I can do from this screen" mode every time.
Thanks in advance for helping this decrepit old programmer.
Jay W
Seems like you may just have issues figuring out how to use the GUI. In that case, perhaps a video would be helpful. Here is one that's a couple years old now and for Rule 4.0, but the Rule 5.1 (current version) interface isn't that different with regards to conditional actions, so it will still be applicable:
I'd also suggest trying again with a new rule if you haven't already--just in case you got the one you're working on now into some weird state that messed up the display.
YES! That video was very helpful. What was hanging me up was the distinction between defining conditions and defining actions. Kind of odd syntax. But after watching the video, I got it. Was able to finally do this sort of complex rule.
Correct. Only annoyed. "Sunshine" is retractable awning controlled through a BOND interface. Weirdly, when it's "on" it's retracted, when it's "off" it's extended. So we turn the sunshine on/off for two minutes several times a day to keep them from building a nest under the awning cover. Every spring we go though this and I finally got around to automating the bird annoyance system.
Hi, looking for a little help. I want to speak when the furnace is on and a door is open for gt 15 sec
Q1. Is there an option to have and AND in the triggers?
Q2.Assuming not, it appears that the furnace turning on will trigger even though the door has not been open 15 sec...
Q3.Because of that I added the condition that the door had to be opened for 15 sec but I'm concerned that it says (UNUSED)... is it really unused?
Q4. Will this rule do what I want or what do I need to change.
Thanks !!
I'll comment quick here about #3... Yep, that condition is unused. I realize it's confusing since it looks very similar to the trigger you are using, but they are subtly different.
Triggers are actions, whereas conditions are states.
Your trigger is the action of the contact being open for exactly 15 minutes -- it'll trigger at that 15-min mark (not before, not after).
If you were to use it in the rule, your condition would be true at and anytime past 15 min. It's just the state of the contact being open for longer than 15 min.
"Sunshine" is retractable awning controlled through a BOND interface. Weirdly, when it's "on" it's retracted, when it's "off" it's extended. So we turn the sunshine on/off for two minutes several times a day to keep them from building a nest under the awning cover. Every spring we go though this and I finally got around to automating the bird annoyance system.
