Venus 6 MECC library error - out of the blue

Hamilton (Venus)
1

Software Version:
Venus: 6.3.2.1485

Out of the blue whenever I run any method that uses the timer function, it throws following error:

2026-05-06 15:34:33.305 SYSTEM : Analyze method - progress; C:\Program Files (x86)\Hamilton\Methods\Whatswrong.hsl(34) : error 1302: 'MECC::IDS::stepNameTimerStop' undeclared identifier

I’m can’t seem to find the root cause of this issue. When I dig down in the debugger it sends me following file:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Hamilton\Library\HSLMECCLibEnu.hs_"

The file does contain the following line:

Insert(IDS::stepNameTimerStop,	"Timer: Stop" );

The last action I did before this issue arise was export the method. I had then installed the method to a new PC with same software version. I encountered the problem on the new PC first. Then when I came back to my original PC to check, the issue is present there as well.

During the import process, I did select import everything including existing file. Hence overriding existing HSLMECLib files.

I’ve done following troubleshooting:
Copy the “MECC” files from another PC that is unaffected and replace with affected PC. This didn’t resolve it.
Next, I believe I did following sequence of steps, can’t recall properly:

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I went on System Configuration and set the “Timer: Stop” Step selection method to Hidden. Then save the config file. Reopen, then make it visible. Then I may have created a method just using the timer functions. Run it, again threw the same error.
I left and grabbed a cup of coffee, come back and re-run my original method and it started working again!
I tried to replicate this solution to my other affected PC, but this doesn’t seem to work :frowning:
Then, I then re-installed Venus, and it fixed the issue. I haven’t tried re-importing the “infected” file on this system yet.
Has anybody else seen similar issue before?
Also, when I try importing a new method, even if I unselect a file that shouldn’t be overwritten, it overwrites it anyway, specifically the “*.lay” file.
Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

1 Like
2

Hi @akbor

It’s great that you were able to resolve this issue, but I can provide some quick insight as to what happened.

There is a legacy bug with the old import/export .pkg tool that would cause certain default libraries seemingly at random to be replicated during the process and copied to the Hamilton\Methods folder. The MECC library is one of the most common targeted - I have no idea why.

When default libraries are replicated to the Methods folder, the run control compiler (during analysis at onset of run launch) can mistakenly make the library includes reference relative to the instance of the file in the methods folder instead of the intended version in the root of the library folder. It has something to do with declaring #includes references with relative path mapping instead of absolute.

The timer stop function and its associated backing enumeration code in the MECC template was added for VENUS 6. What likely occurred in your case is a .pkg import from a VENUS installation environment prior to VENUS 6 was imported onto the affected install, where the import carried with it a replicate MECC in the methods folder.

For unknown reasons, your compiler is defaulting to the outdated MECC library material in the methods folder, which was unintentionally introduced, which did not include backing support for the timer stop function, so it doesn’t exist in memory/symbol table for the run.

I realize you have already reinstalled, but if there was access to the original I can almost guarantee that you would find a duplicate set of MECC files in the root of the Hamilton folder.

Thanks.

-Nick

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