Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a storage format setting unit for setting a storage format in an interactive manner in order to store acquisition data, acquired from a control appliance connected thereto, a storage file forming unit for forming a storage file used to store the acquisition data based upon the storage format set by this storage format setting unit, and a storage unit for storing the acquisition data acquired from the control appliance in the storage file formed by this storage file forming unit according to the storage format set by the storage format setting unit.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operation of a plurality of programmable devices in a system which controls the programmable devices, and corresponding apparatus for monitoring the same. The employs two CPUs. One of the CPUs is controlled to communicate with the programmable logic controller of the system, specifically, to process devices read from the PLC, and to return the result to a two-port memory. The other CPU is controlled to read the result from the two-port memory and display it on the CRT, thus enabling a monitor display, which displays the operation of the programmable device, to have a fast response time.