Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for developing a virtual programmable logic controller (PLC) application using a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. The method including generating the virtual PLC application comprising at least two objects arranged in at least a horizontal section, wherein the horizontal section is configured to execute the two objects at the same time, and wherein at least one of the two objects uses a template that specifies mappings between a first data format of first data associated with a first data source and a second data format of second data associated with a third-party application. The method also including executing the virtual PLC application by: identifying when a change has been made to the first data, and converting, via the at least one of the two objects using the template, the first data having the first data format to the second data having the second data format.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for developing a virtual programmable logic controller (PLC) application using a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. The method including receiving, from a first portion of the GUI representing a tool box, a first selection of a first object from a set of objects represented in the GUI, wherein each of the set of objects performs a respective function. The method also includes inserting, into a horizontal section of a second portion of the GUI representing the virtual PLC application, the first object, wherein the horizontal section includes a second object that executes simultaneously as the first object in the horizontal section. The method also includes compiling code implementing the first object and the second object to generate the virtual PLC application, and adding a shortcut of the virtual PLC application to a virtual tray of an operating system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for developing a virtual programmable logic controller (PLC) application using a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. The method including receiving, from a first portion of the GUI representing a tool box, a first selection of a first object from a set of objects represented in the GUI, wherein each of the set of objects performs a respective function. The method also includes inserting, into a horizontal section of a second portion of the GUI representing the virtual PLC application, the first object, wherein the horizontal section includes a second object that executes simultaneously as the first object in the horizontal section. The method also includes compiling code implementing the first object and the second object to generate the virtual PLC application, and adding a shortcut of the virtual PLC application to a virtual tray of an operating system.