PLCnext Technology from Phoenix Contact is a unique, open ecosystem for modern automation that is capable of meeting all the challenges of the IoT world.
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How C# fits into PLCnext Technology Here’s a short overview to the key concept before starting your first C# programming session. C# programming in PLCnext Technology is based on the embedded Common Language Runtime (eCLR) by ProConOS. This runtime system is able to transform both standard hardware and specific… Read More
The eCLR programming system The eCLR programming system for C# programming consists of the three main components: CIL compiler embedded Common Language Runtime (= eCLR) eCLR core libraries CIL compiler The CIL compiler is responsible for translating the CIL code. The eCLR CIL compiler… Read More
Remote debugging C# code Because PLCnext Technology includes an implementation of eCLR, you have the option to establish a C# remote session on a PLCnext Control. This topic describes the basic steps needed for setting up a remote debug session and establishing a direct connection to a running application by means of… Read More
Library Description In the project tree you will find the file LibraryDescription.xml in the ProjectItems section. The file contains additional description for the POUs and their formal parameters which are shown as tool tips. It also enables the structuring of POUs into groups. The element ProgramOrganizationUnit can be… Read More
Creating a C# function block library With Visual Studio®, you can program functions, function blocks, function containers and programs in C# which you can subsequently import using the PLCnext Technology engineering software, PLCnext Engineer and use on a PLCnext Technology device. Tutorial video Note: Tutorial videos are embedded from the Phoenix Contact Technical Support YouTube channel. With playing… Read More
Referenceable libraries in the System namespace The PLCnext Technology programming system for C# needs referenced libraries which are specifically built for the eCLR runtime. For this, we introduced our own framework (similar to .NET framework) and the eCLR base class libraries. This approach takes care that it’s always downward compatible: libraries… Read More
Required installations for C# programming Valid from toolchain 2021.6 – for former releases see Install C# tools In order to develop C# functions, function blocks and programs to use them in a real-time application with IEC 61131-3, the following installations are required. Phoenix Contact software PLCnext Toolchain With release 2021.6 the… Read More
Supported data types in C# The following table illustrates how the IEC 61131-3 data types are linked to the .Net Framework and C#. IEC 61131-3 data type .Net Framework C# data type Attribute**variables of data typesthat are marked with a “+” must have the optional… Read More
Providing help files for libraries Libraries can include help files in the Compiled Help (.chm) format that contain a help page for each POU. The help files can be added for different languages and set back to a default if there is no matching file for the current language… Read More
Installing the C# Development Tools for Visual Studio Valid up to toolchain 2021.0 LTS – for newer releases see Required installations To program in C# for PLCnext Technology, prepare your workbench as follows. Prerequisites Integrated Development Environment (IDE): Microsoft Visual Studio 2015, 2017 or 2019 (all editions) Works for automation hardware:… Read More
