Quick summary: I wrote a compiler that starts with a ladder diagram and generates native PIC16 or AVR code. This program is free software; source code and executables can be found for download. PLCs are sometimes programmed in ladder logic. It is because PLCs originally changed relay management techniques, and forty years later, we still have not fairly let go. A PLC, like several microprocessor, executes an inventory of instructions in sequence. Ladder logic tools summary this; you'll be able to program the PLC by wiring up relay contacts and coils on-display, and the PLC runtime will simulate the circuit that you have drawn. A number of the relay contacts may be tied to enter alerts from the true world; some of the coils could be tied to outputs. That approach you may make your simulated circuit work together with other devices, and really control things. That's the purpose. Actually it's extra normal than that, as a result of you'll be able to incorporate timers and counters and arithmetic operations that you couldn't (simply) carry out with simply relays.
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