Mastering PLC Programming: A software engineering survival guide for PLC programming - Softcover

M. T White

Softcover

ISBN 10: 180461288X ISBN 13: 9781804612880

Publisher: Packt Publishing - ebooks Account, 2023

Synopsis

Learn PLC programming from a software point of view to understand advanced concepts like OOP and HMI development and design PLC software that is reusable, portable, and robust

Key Features

• Deep dive into object-oriented PLC programming to gain hands-on knowledge
• Explore software engineering principles such as SDLC, SOLID programming
• Know inside out about HMI development to build various HMI projects

Book Description

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a new paradigm for PLCs and many employers are looking for talent with knowledge of the paradigm. Mastering PLC Programming is an advanced guide to the IEC 61131-3 programming standards for PLCs. It will give you a solid understanding of how to develop HMIs which is a vital skill for PLC programmers.

This book will start with how to write PLC programs using advanced programming techniques. Later, you will deep dive into object-oriented PLC programming and HMI development in a vendor-neutral way using free software. As such this book will have the advantage of teaching you the full gambit of complex topics in modern PLC programming such as SDLC and Solid programming. Finally, you will be able to apply concepts such as structured text, OOP, and HMI designing to build a theoretical industrial oven. In all, this book will not only cover complex PLC programming, but it will also remove the financial barrier that comes with most books as it will not use expensive PLC hardware or software.

By the end of this book, you will have an in-depth knowledge of advanced automation programming with an emphasis on object-oriented PLC programming that will catapult you to the top of the field. You will also gain experience testing, designing, working through the SDLC, and explore SOLID principles.

What you will learn

• Learn how to write PLC programs with advanced programming techniques
• Explore the OOP concepts for PLC programming
• Delve into software engineering principles such as SDLC and SOLID programming
• Explore HMIs, HMI controls, HMI Layouts, and alarms
• Create an HMI project and attach it to PLC in CodeSys
• Build simulated PLC and HMI projects to gain hands on experience

Who This Book Is For

This book is targeted towards automaton programmers with a background in software engineering topics such as object-oriented programming and general software engineering knowledge. Automation engineers, software engineers, electrical engineers, PLC technicians, hobbyists, and upper-level university students with an interest in automation or robotics will also find this book useful and interesting. In short, anyone with a basic knowledge of PLCs can benefit from reading this book.

Table of Contents

1. Software engineering for PLCs
2. Advanced Structured text: Program a PLC in easy to read English
3. Debugging: Making Your Code Work
4. Complex variable declaration: Use variables to their fullest
5. Functions: Make Code Modular and Maintainable
6. Object-Oriented Programming: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Code
7. The Power of Objects and OOP
8. Libraries: Write Once, Use Anywhere
9. The SDLC: Navigate the SDLC to create great code
10. Advanced coding: Using SOLID to make solid code
11. HMIs: UIs for PLCs
12. Industrial controls: User inputs and outputs
13. Layouts: Making HMIs User Friendly
14. Alarms: Avoid Catastrophic Issues with Alarms
15. Putting It All Together: The Final Project
16. Distributed Control System, PLCs, and Networking

About this title

About the Author

M. T. White has been programming since the age of 12. His fascination with robotics flourished when he was a child programming microcontrollers. He holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics, a master's degree in software engineering, and an MBA in IT management. He is currently working as a software developer for a major US defense contractor and is an adjunct CIS instructor, where he teaches Python, C, and an array of other courses. His background mostly stems from the automation industry where he programmed PLCs and HMIs for many different types of applications. He has programmed many different brands of PLCs over the years and has developed HMIs using many different tools. Other technologies that he is fluent in include Linux, Ansible, Docker, AWS, C#, Java, and Python. Be sure to check out his channel AlchemicalComputing on YouTube.

Edition details

• Publisher: Packt Publishing - ebooks Account
• Publication date: 2023
• ISBN 10: 180461288X
• ISBN 13: 9781804612880
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 419