Release Notes for JMRI 4.25.4 release
Date: October 12, 2021
From: Bob Jacobsen
Subject: Test Release 4.25.4 of JMRI/DecoderPro is available for download.
Notes:
This is a test release. Please
post a note
if you encounter any new or old bugs!
And please back up your JMRI files before installing this, in case you want to go
back to an earlier version.
This is the next in a series of test releases.
We expect this series to end in the next JMRI production release at the end of 2021.
(See the tentative release schedule)
Some of the changes involved are quite extensive.
They may require a certain amount of experience before they are working well.
Therefore, this test release should be considered experimental.
JMRI is now only available under the
GNU General Public License. For more information, please
see our
copyright and licensing page.
Update From Older JMRI Versions
If you are currently using a version older than JMRI 4.20, please follow these instructions carefully:
- Is your current version older than JMRI 4.12?
If so, then update to JMRI 4.12 first, and ensure everything works correctly: check
start-up, check things you need to be working, and check the JMRI log as well) before doing anything else.
Store your configuration and panel files under a new name and use those from now on.
Then continue with step 2.
If you are currently using JMRI 4.7.3 or earlier on Linux or macOS (Windows doesn't need this),
then it's very important
that you update to JMRI 4.12 and
carrying out the migration process described in the JMRI 4.12 release note
before updating to any later relese.
- Is your current version older than JMRI 4.20?
Then update to JMRI 4.20 first, and ensure that works correctly (check
start-up, check things you need to be working, and check the JMRI log as well) before doing anything else
Store your configuration and panel files under a new name and use those from now on.
- You can then install this release.
Following this multi-step order of updating via stable major releases safeguards you against possible migration issues
that can arise from skipping these versions.
New problems with this release
- This test release does not work with Java version 8u311 or later.
To use this test release, please either use an earlier version of
Java 8, update your Java installation to Java 11,
or install a later test release such as
JMRI 4.25.5 or any later version.
If any of those affect you, please either
wait for
JMRI 4.25.5, due out shortly after this one,
or (once there's a fix for the problem) pick up a
development build installer
from
Jenkins.
New warnings for this release:
Older warnings
See the
JMRI 4.20 release note for more warnings predating the 4.21 development series,
including pointers to various migration issues.
These may be relevant to you if you're updating from an earlier version;
we strongly recommend you update to
JMRI 4.20
installing this test release.
- Since JMRI 4.21.1
The jmri.jmrix.SystemConnectionMemo class has become a jmri.SystemConnectionMemo
interface and a jmri.jmrix.DefaultSystemConnectionMemo class. This may
require changes to scripts. If you have a script that references
jmri.jmrix.SystemConnectionMemo, please change it to either
jmri.SystemConnectionMemo or jmri.jmrix.DefaultSystemConnectionMemo
(it's easier to have you just try the two than to explain which
one will work in which case)
- Since JMRI 4.21.1
The way preferences are loaded at startup has been slightly
modified. There is no impact to JMRI applications, but Non-JMRI
applications that are not derived from apps.Apps or apps.AppsBase
but are using jmri.implementation.JmriConfigurationManager to load
preferences will no longer see preferences if an error occurs. To
restore the old behavior, use apps.AppsConfigurationManager instead.
- Since JMRI 4.11.4
There are issues with the Pi-SPROG One command station operation. A number of workarounds should be applied:
- Do not turn on the track power until the power supply to the Pi-SPROG ONE is turned on
- Do not enable extra debugging through default.lcf, nor open the system console window
- Do not open the SPROG console window
- Disable power conversion (CV 29) in all locos
- If connecting via VNC (or similar), setup the screen layout before turning on the track power
Pi-SPROG One with version 2.4 or earlier firmware will cause a timeout after a track short circuit. A dialog box will
open to inform the user of this. The track power will be turned off and must be turned on again using the power control.
Download links:
The
list of included changes is available from our
GitHub code repository.
Hardware Support
CBUS
- Andrew Crosland added new code to implement a Service provider Interface for CBUS module support.
Initial support is limited to a few modules and allows more human-friendly editing of Node variables.
DCC++ and DCC-EX
- new sample script (SendDCCppMessages.py) to easily send DCCpp commmand list
- added support for new servo and vpin turnout messages
- store definitions as properties in created objects
- Config Base Station now available as Startup action
- Monitor, Send Command, and Config Base Station now multi-connection-aware.
MERG
SPROG
New / Updated decoder definitions
Doehler & Haas
- Added DH06A definition for fw 3.12.050
TAMS
- Added definition for Tams FD-R Basic 3, including Railcommunity norm RCN-277 mapping for future use on other decoders
LogixNG
- Add Dispatcher Actions and Expressions.
- Add a Table tab to Local Variable and Memory Actions.
The table reference is used to identify the cell that has content that will be copied
to the selected local or memory variable.
- The Highlight row in ConditionalNG Editor option in
Preferences ⇒ LogixNG has been added. This can be useful for seeing which
row is currently selected.
Meters and MeterFrames
Operations
- Fixed exception when using "hyphen" feature without other characters.
- Fixed the truncate feature when using utility cars.
- Fixed automation bug when there are manifest warnings.
- Fixed AutoHPT model and road bugs.
- Fixed save after delete of car.
- Enhancement, show how many warnings in the build report.
- Enhancement, user can optionally update route departure times when changing train departure times.
- Enhancement, added medium load priority.
Panel Editor
- When changing the icons used by an item,
the icon display window now shows the choices
in alphanumeric order by name.
Control Panel Editor
Palette
- When changing the icons used by an item,
the icon display window now shows the choices
in alphanumeric order by name.
Turnouts, Lights, Sensors and other elements
- Light Controllers triggered by Turnout now have Turnout stored in xml by DisplayName (
UserName, or SystemName if no userName set ), rather than SystemName.
Signals
Signal Systems
- Swedish railway signaling system, SE-TSFS-2010,
2009 version of the "3H Signaling System", Module 3H
Signal Masts
- Add an address offset option for DCC Signal Mast Decoder signal masts.
- Add the ability to select the aspect id for the unlit option.
USS CTC Logic
- Multiple upgrades to improve the realism
of the
example panel's
operation and appearance. Much help provided by Bob Milhaupt.
Miscellaneous
- The length of logging lines sent to the system console has been reduced
by no longer including the date. The time is still included.
If you have a copy of the 'default.lcf' file in your local JMRI
setting directory, you won't see this change until you update it.
- Access to the deprecated SecurityManager class has been removed;
Java access security is now enforced by default.
