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Community

This documentation is open to be edited by all CODESYS Forge developers. It can be used to share global information, which is of interest for developers of differnt projects.
The contents is not ment dogmatic and should provide the reader with enough tips & tricks to help write code which is clearly readable and quicker understood by the community. The developper adhering to these tips & tricks, in return, will reap the benefits in an obvious manner. So, following tips & tricks is strongly encouraged!

  • Software hints
  • Workflows
  • Tutorials
  • Coding tips, - standards or - styles
  • ...

Recommended Software

CODESYS programming

Use the CODESYS programming system in the latest version. It's use is completely free.

You can the program every CODESYS programmable PLC with it, or use the 2h Demo of one of the SL runtimes:

  • CODESYS Control Win V3
  • CODESYS Control for Raspberry Pi SL
  • CODESYS Control for Linux SL

The demos are running 2h and can be restarted as often as you want.

Version Control System

You should use SVN when you want to have a good version control system with CODESYS projects, and if you want to publish them on CODESYS Forge.

CODESYS SVN can be freely used with CODESYS Forge. But we reconnend to use the tool cforge, as it improves the workflow with CODESYS Forge pretty much.

Versioning

Project versions

When it comes to library compatibility, the rule is really as easy as that:

"The CODESYS version of the user should be greater or equal to the format of the library."

Things like the compiler version, visu profile, etc. will usually be used from the final project, not from the library.

Offcourse there are some known exceptions;
* ;
* ;
* etc

Versioning of own items

The following version scheme suggestion is empirical in nature;

 v0.0.0.1    Initial version: Your first library / project in beta stage

whenever you code or bugfix just arbitrarily count up as you see fit, there is no right or wrong;

 v0.0.0.2    Bugfixes/coding version 2
 ..
 v0.0.0.49   Bugfixes/coding version 49
 etc, etc.

whenever you have tested a complete stable internal version;

 v0.0.1.0    your first stable version (tested)
 ..
 v0.0.1.3    your first stable version (tested) with some bugfixes
 ..
 v0.0.2.0    your second stable version (tested)
 ..
 v0.0.3.11   your third stable version (tested) with more bugfixes
 etc, etc.

whenever you have software which you have tested externally (public beta);

 v0.1.0.0    your first public beta version (tested/ publicly released)
 ..
 v0.1.0.2    your first public beta version (tested/ publicly released) with some bug fixes
 ..
 v0.2.0.0    your second public beta version (tested/ publicly released)
 etc, etc.

Whenever you have a stable public alpha release;

 v1.0.0.0    Your first alpha released version
 ..
 v1.0.0.6    Your first alpha released version with some bugfixes
 ..
 v1.1.0.9    An alpha released version with a beta tested/released component and some bugfixes
 ..
 v2.0.0.0    Your second alpha released version
 etc, etc.

As seen, this versioning scheme leaves "room" for (arbitrarily) smaller or larger code updates while also providing a clear overview of the development progress.

Offcourse, other versioning scheme's are possible (provide examples).

Coding tips

  • when using RTS_IEC_HANDLE and RTS_IEC_RESULT types, please add SysTypes2 Interfaces (3.5.4.0);
  • if possible, use standard error codes (CmpErrors or CmpErrors2 Interfaces);
  • if possible, avoid using dynamic memory (the usage of NEW operator);
  • always use Structured Text (ST) language whenever possible as ST is by far the most versatile language, in which all operations, manipulations and functions are possible;
  • document the source code, add meaningful comments to it;
  • for modern coding style advice: read the CODESYS v3 library development tips as provided in CODESYS help,
    The tips and practices laid out in the CODESYS help are pretty complete but not as thorough as Steve McConnell "Code Complete", though they provide a very good starting point.
    For further reading see e.g. Steve McConnell "Code Complete";

External References

The following is a list of some greate resources about some more advanced programming techniques.