Release Notes for JMRI 5.3.8 release
Date: MM DDD, 2023
From: release pumpkin
Subject: Test Release 5.3.8 of JMRI/DecoderPro is available for download.
This is a draft release note only; the download links do not yet work
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 5.3.* test releases.
It requires Java 11 to work.
(See our page on downloading Java 11)
We expect this series to end in the next JMRI 5.4 production release in June 2023.
(See the tentative release schedule)
We are getting close to the next production release, so we would particularly
appreciate your testing of this release to make sure it works for you. That way,
if you find new problems, we can try to fix them before the production release.
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 5.0, 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 release.
- 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.
Save your preferences again.
Store your configuration and panel files under a new name, use those from now on, and go on to step 3.
- Is your current version older than JMRI 4.24?
Then update to JMRI 4.24 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.
Save your preferences again.
Store your configuration and panel files under a new name and use those from now on.
- Is your current version older than JMRI 5.0?
Then update to JMRI 5.0 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.
Save your preferences again.
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
New warnings for this release:
Older warnings
See the
JMRI 5.2 release note for more warnings predating the 5.3 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 at least
JMRI 5.0
before installing this test release.
See
instructions above.
- Since JMRI 5.3.2
Some images in the resources/icons folder have been renamed.
Spaces have been changed to underscore. It's images in the
resources/icons/ItalianSignals/ACEI,
resources\icons\ItalianSignals\Prototypical,
resources/icons/smallschematics/aspects/NW-1981,
resources/icons/smallschematics/aspects/NYC-1956,
xml/signals/FS-1987, xml/signals/NW-1981,
xml/signals/NYC-1956 and resources/icons/SNCF/Small
folders that have been renamed. If you are using these images directly, you will need to update the reference.
- Since JMRI 5.1.7
The way defaults for some LocoNet connections are handled has changed.
Existing LocoNet connections might give a "The Defaults preferences are invalid"
warning when saving preferences. In that case, click "yes" and then go set
all the default radio buttons on the "Defaults" pane to the LocoNet connection. (You can also
click "no", but you'll get the message next time you store too)
- Since JMRI 4.99.1
This test release, and all subsequent ones, require the use of
Java 11 or later. Java 8 is explicitly not supported.
There's more information on this migration on the
JMRI Tech Road Map and
JVM Capabilities pages.
- Since JMRI 5.3.3
The code for Loconet programming operations was significantly changed.
If you encounter any (new) troubles programming via Loconet, please get in touch on the
JMRIusers list.
- Since JMRI 5.3.7
The definition of "Last Seen" for Id Tags has been
clarified to mean "Location where the tag was last seen to be present".
Previously, a report that a tag was absent could be remembered as the
last seen report. The relevant code changes are specific to LocoNet
Reporters. This might affect your scripts and LogixNG if you were assuming
the prior behavior.
- Since JMRI 5.3.7
Some Reporters, particularly LocoNet, would improperly clear an "enter" report
when an "exits" report for the same tag was seen elsewhere. This was an
error that has been fixed, but if you have scripts or LogixNG that depend on
this behavior you might have to update them.
Download links:
During development leading to the actual release, you can find test download files on the
continuous integration build page.
These are development files, and might not be working at any particular time.
The
list of included changes is available from our
GitHub code repository.
Hardware Support
Acela CTI
Anyma DMX512
Bachrus Speedo
CBUS
- The default CAN ID for new connections is restored to 126
C/MRI
DCC++ and DCC-EX
- Add parsing for JR, jR, JA and jA messages, handle negative current
DCC4pc
Direct
ESU
Hornby
Internal
IPOCSMR
JMRI Simple Server/JMRI Client
KPF-Zeller
Lenz XPressNet
LocoNet
- Updated "LocoNet Monitor" to give some detail when the command
station reports that a throttle's attempt to control a train's
speed/direction or functions was ignored by the command station because
the LocoNet "Expanded Slot" is "In-Use" by a different throttle
than the one which attempted to control the slot. Other
operations can also cause this message when the requesting throttle
is not the throttle which "owns" the slot. This message
(an "" message) is only sent by
command stations that support "Expanded Slot" messaging, and
is not used by older Digitrax command stations which do not
support "Expanded Slots".
- Updated LocoNet Monitor to show certain current-generation
Digitrax command stations as "sourcing" certain LocoNet
messages.
- Updated LocoNet Monitor to better decode certain messages.
Maple
Marklin CS2
MERG
MQTT
MRC
NCE
- Fix to the Consist Backup/Restore program. All versions from 5.7.1 to5.11.3
create a backup file including command station memory space beyond the consist tables.
The bigger issue is that the restore does not check that the addresses in the backup file
are within the consist tables. Restoring one of those backup files could corrupt the
memory used for AIU status and RS-232 buffers. This fixes both of those and makes sure the
restore will only restore within the consist tables.
Oak Tree
- Improved how Event with Payload messages are displayed in the monitor.
- Enabled the Abort button in the Update Firmware window.
- Backup files are now written with dotted-hex event ID values,
whether or not an event name is available. This makes them more reliable
and more portable.
- Update the STL Editor to support "event names".
- When available, event names will be displayed in the IQYZ tables.
- The load from backup process will handle event names in older CDI backups.
If the event name is no longer in the name store, a temporary event id will
be created.
- Existing event names can be entered in the event columns of the IQYZ tables.
Creating new event names is NOT supported.
- Correctly decode events-with-payload
Powerline
RFID
Roco z21/Z21
Secsi
SPROG
SRCP
TAMS
TMCC
Uhlenbrock Intellibox
Zimo MXULF
ZTC
New / Updated decoder definitions
AE Model
Arnold
Bachmann
BLI
BNM Hobbies
CT Elektronik
DCC Concepts
Digikeijs (Digirails)
Digitrax
Doehler & Haas
ESU
GCA
-
Added GCA50 (Arduino Nano based LocoIO) and
GCA51 (2x RFID reader + 8 port LocoIO) models
to the DIY HDL_LocoIO decoder definition.
Hattoms
Hornby
Kuehn
LaisDCC
Lenz
MD Electronics
MGP
Mistral Train Models
MTH
MRC
NCE
Norsk Modelljernbane (NJM)
Piko decoders
- Support for XP5.1 decoders up to FW 1.16.0
Public Domain and DIY decoders
- Added GCA50 and GCA51 models to the HDL_LocoIO
decoder file, showing only valid modes.
QSI
Rampino Elektronic
Rautenhaus
RR-CirKits
SoundTraxx
Tam Valley Depot
TAMS
TCS
Team Digital
Technologistic (train-O-matic)
Trix Modelleisenbahn
Uhlenbrock
Umelec
Viessmann
Wangrow
ZIMO
Miscellaneous
Control Panel Editor
Circuit Builder
Palette
CTC Tool
DecoderPro
Dispatcher
- Restore TSA data to the correct place.
- When checking for a hold mast do not assume the section join is at the end of a section.
- For AdHoc trains check to see if a transit can be used.
Dispatcher System
Internationalization
Layout Editor
NX - Entry/Exit Tool
- Enable panel updates while the NX route is being created.
- Display a warning dialog when creating a multipoint route fails.
LccPro
Logix
LogixNG
- The Listen On Beans,
Listen On Beans - Local variable and
Listen On Beans - Table actions
can now listen on Audio beans.
- Occupancy Blocks can now be used in
the For each action.
Meters and MeterFrames
OperationsPro
Panel Editor
Permissions
Preferences
Resources
Roster
Routes
Scripting
Signals
Signal Systems
Signal Heads
Signal Masts
Signal Groups
Cab Signals
Simple Signal Logic
USS CTC Logic
Switchboard Editor
Throttle
Timetable
Tracker
Turnouts, Lights, Sensors and other elements
Warrants
Web Access
Web Server
Where Used
WiThrottle Server
Virtual Sound Decoder
Z21 Server
Miscellaneous
- The pop-up menu in the various Tables now has an entry
for "Copy System Name".
- Bug fix: Add new editor panel to the Editor Manager when doing a CPE/PE switch.
