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
Providing help files for libraries Libraries can include help files that contain a help page for each POU. The help files can be added in the Compiled Help (.chm) format (all toolchain versions) or in HTML5 format (as of toolchain version 2022.6). These help files can be provided in… 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
C# core libraries The C# core libraries are part of the PLCnext Technology Toolchain and will be available in the PLCnext Technology Toolchain installation folder. These libraries are necessary to program and build real-time C# applications for PLCnext Control devices. They are replacing the equally named .NET libraries with a subset… 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 to C#, respectively. Note: Variables of data types that are marked with a + in the Attribute mandatory column must have the (otherwise optional) attribute DataType for unambiguous assignment. 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. For supporting different languages,… 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 of C# code Works for PLCnext Control devices running firmware 2019.0 LTS up to 2022.9 – for newer firmware see Remote debugging from 2023 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… Read More
Required installations for C# programming Valid from toolchain 2021.6 Mandatory installations In order to develop C# functions, function blocks, and programs and use them in a PLCnext Technology real-time application, the following installations are required. PLCnext Engineer automation engineering software The PLCnext Engineer software suite is required… Read More
Supported functions for C# programming C# language functions Types All the integrated types are supported, except for decimal. Type system namespaces, structs, classes, interfaces, enumerations, nested types indexers, properties, operations events, delegates, MultiCastDelegates arrays constructors, static constructors, destructors (finalizers)… Read More
