static PVRecordPtr createScalar(
    string const & recordName,
    ScalarType scalarType,
    string const & properties)
{
    PVStructurePtr pvStructure = getStandardPVField()->scalar(scalarType,properties);
    PVRecordPtr pvRecord = PVRecord::create(recordName,pvStructure);
    pvStructure.reset();
    return pvRecord;
}