Abstract: A vertical layer stack including a bit-line-level dielectric layer and an etch stop dielectric layer can be formed over an array region. Bit-line trenches are formed through the vertical layer stack. Bit-line-trench fill structures are formed in the bit-line trenches. Each of the bit-line-trench fill structures includes a stack of a bit line and a capping dielectric strip. At least one via-level dielectric layer can be formed over the vertical layer stack. A bit-line-contact via cavity can be formed through the at least one via-level dielectric layer and one of the capping dielectric strips. A bit-line-contact via structure formed in the bit-line-contact via cavity includes a stepped bottom surface including a top surface of one of the bit lines, a sidewall segment of the etch stop dielectric layer, and a segment of a top surface of the etch stop dielectric layer.

Abstract: An engineering tool includes a program display/editing unit that edits an official program to be run as an actual product and a debugging program to be used at the time of operation confirmation of the official program distinctively in such a manner that the debugging program is executed by a controller when the debugging program is selected and that the official program is executed by the controller without the debugging program being executed when the debugging program is not selected.

Abstract: An engineering tool includes a program display/editing unit that edits an official program to be run as an actual product and a debugging program to be used at the time of operation confirmation of the official program distinctively in such a manner that the debugging program is executed by a controller when the debugging program is selected and that the official program is executed by the controller without the debugging program being executed when the debugging program is not selected.

Abstract: Included are a connection monitoring unit that monitors the presence of connection with a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) constituting a PLC system, and that, upon detection of connection with the PLC, acquires data related to the state of the PLC system; a function-selecting-screen display unit that displays a list of functions that can be used for searching for an error according to the state of the PLC system acquired by the connection monitoring unit and receives a function selected from the list; and a function-screen display unit that displays information related to the error acquired by the function selected from the list.