You're reading from Mastering PLC Programming The software engineering survival guide to automation programming

Product type Paperback

Published in Jan 2026

Publisher Packt

ISBN-13 9781836642558

Length 528 pages

Edition 2nd Edition

Tools

PLC

Concepts

PLC Programming

Author (1):

M. T. White

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Table of Contents (26) Chapters

Preface

1. Part I: Advanced Structured Text FREE CHAPTER

2. Advanced Structured Text: Programming a PLC in Easy-to-Read English

3. Complex Variable Declaration: Using Variables to Their Fullest

4. Functions: Making Code Modular and Maintainable

5. Object-Oriented Programming: Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling Code

6. OOP: The Power of Objects

7. Best Practices for Writing Incredible Code

8. Libraries: Write Once, Use Anywhere

9. Part II: Software Engineering for Automation

10. Getting Started with Git

11. SDLC: Navigating the SDLC to Create Great Code

12. Architecting Code with UML

13. Testing and Troubleshooting

14. Advanced Coding: Using SOLID to Make Solid Code

15. Part III: HMI Design

16. Industrial Controls: User Inputs and Outputs

17. Layouts: Making HMIs User-Friendly

18. Alarms: Avoiding Catastrophic Issues with Alarms

19. Part IV: Putting Knowledge Into Action

20. DCSs, PLCs, and the Future

21. Putting It All Together: The Final Project

22. Unlock Your Exclusive Benefits

23. Answer Sheet

24. Other Books You May Enjoy

25. Index

Why use modular code?

There are many reasons to use modular code; however, the following is a list of some very common ones:

Reusability: Arguably, the most important reason to use modular code is reusability. Much like the parts of a car, a code module can be used in multiple projects and in multiple parts of the project, which cuts down on development time, unexpected behaviors, and bugs.
Code removability: Much like with a mechanical machine that has been upgraded to use fewer parts, a modular program should allow for the easy removal of all individual modules.
Code upgrades: When a program is modular, it will be easy to upgrade. If a behavior must be changed, all you need to do is find the code module that handles that behavior and change it without needing to break other, unrelated code. Upgrading modular code is like upgrading a car part, you only need to upgrade that part and the necessary related parts for it to work.
Code scalability: Modular...

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Authors (1)

M. T. White

M. T. White has been programming since the age of 12. His fascination with robotics flourished when he was a child programming microcontrollers. He holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics, a master's degree in software engineering, and an MBA in IT management. He is currently working as a software developer for a major US defense contractor and is an adjunct CIS instructor, where he teaches Python, C, and an array of other courses. His background mostly stems from the automation industry where he programmed PLCs and HMIs for many different types of applications. He has programmed many different brands of PLCs over the years and has developed HMIs using many different tools. Other technologies that he is fluent in include Linux, Ansible, Docker, AWS, C#, Java, and Python. Be sure to check out his channel AlchemicalComputing on YouTube.

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