PLCopen started an object-oriented programming (OPP) guidelines initiative with a goal to create a more homogeneous method for implementing and using OPP, as enabled by the 3rd edition of the IEC 61131-3 standard. The guidelines are designed to help users make the right choice upfront to create consistent programs with long-term support.
When implementing OOP, there are many choices to be made that create a different look and feel for the users across the different systems, different training guidelines and differences in maintenance and costs. PLCopen guidelines will be designed to create a more homogeneous programming methodology.
Overall, there is little information on how to use OOP for industrial control or operation technology. The goal of this initiative is to help by providing the following recommendations:
- Guidance for using OOP in addition to the classical way
- Provide the same look and feel in using OOP across the different platforms and implementations
- Create generic design patterns for industrial control programming
We now published the first document “PLCopen Guidelines for usage of Object-Oriented Programming”, as version 1.0, an additional document within the framework of the PLCopen Software Construction Guidelines.
