---
title: "system.opc.browseSimple"
description: "Allows browsing of OPC servers in the runtime returning a list of tags."
---

# system.opc.browseSimple

> Allows browsing of OPC servers in the runtime returning a list of tags.

This function is used in **Python Scripting**.

## Description
Allows browsing of OPC servers in the runtime returning a list of tags. browseSimple() takes mandatory parameters, which can be null, while browse() uses keyword-style arguments. The spelling on the `opcServer` and `device` parameters must be exact.

:::caution
This function performs a fully recursive browse that can't be terminated, which can be especially problematic in larger systems. It is highly advised to use [system.opc.browseServer](system-opc-browseServer.md) instead since recursion with that function is driven by subsequent calls. 
:::

## Client Permission Restrictions
This scripting function has no [Client Permission](../../../ignition-modules/vision/vision-project-properties/vision-project-properties.md#vision-permissions-properties) restrictions.

## Syntax
`system.opc.browseSimple(opcServer, device, folderPath, opcItemPath)`

### Parameters
Type | Parameter | Description 
------- | ------- | ------
String| `opcServer` | The name of the OPC server to browse
String| `device` | The name of the device to browse
String | `folderPath` | Filters on a folder path. Use * as a wildcard for any number of characters and a ? for a single character.
 String| `opcItemPath` | Filters on a OPC item path. Use * as a wildcard for any number of characters and a ? for a single character.

### Returns

**OPCBrowseTag[]** - An array of [OPCBrowseTag](https://sdk.inductiveautomation.com/javadoc/ignition83/latest/com/inductiveautomation/ignition/common/script/builtin/ialabs/OPCBrowseTag.html) objects. OPCBrowseTag has the following functions: getOpcServer(), getOpcItemPath(), getType(), getDisplayName(), getDisplayPath(), getDataType().

### Scope

Gateway, Vision Client, Perspective Session

## Code Example
```python title="Code Snippet"
# This example will print out the the OPC item path for each item in a specific folder,
  
# Browse Ignition's OPC UA Server. This can be changed to match any connected OPC server.
server = "Ignition OPC UA Server"
 
# Focus on the "SLC" device connection. This must match a valid device connection in the OPC server.
device = "SLC"
 
# Specify that the folder path should contain "B3".
folderPath = "*B3*"
 
# This example is not filtering on a specific OPCItemPath, so it pass Python's None for this parameter
opcItemPath = None
 
# Call browseSimple and store the results in a variable. Note that it may take some time to complete the browse.
OpcObjects = system.opc.browseSimple(server, device, folderPath, opcItemPath)
 
# For each returned address, print out the
for address in OpcObjects:
    print address.getOpcItemPath()
```