PLC Programming

4 - The Individual Components
Refresh Status
Command 'Project' 'Data Base Link' 'Refresh Status'
Use this command to update the display in the Object Organizer, so that you can see the actual status
of the objects concerning the source control of the project.
4.4 Managing Objects in a Project...
Now we shall explain how to work with objects and what help is available to keep track of a project
(Folders, Call tree, Cross reference list,..).
Object
Folder
POUs, data types, visualizations and the resources global variables, the variable configuration, the
Sampling Trace, the PLC Configuration, the Task Configuration, and the Watch and Receipt Manager
are all defined as "objects". The folders inserted for structuring the project are partially involved. All
objects of a project are in the Object Organizer.
If you hold the mouse pointer for a short time on a POU in the Object Organizer, then the type of the
POU (Program, Function or Function block) is shown in a Tooltip. For the global variables the tooltip
shows the keyword (VAR_GLOBAL, VAR_CONFIG).
With drag & drop you can shift objects (and also folders, see 'Folder') within an object type. For this,
select the object and shift it to the desired spot by holding down the left mouse button. If the shift
results in a name collision, the newly introduced element will be uniquely identified by an appended,
serial number (e.g. "Object_1").
In order to keep track of larger projects you should group your POUs, data types, visualizations, and
global variables systematically in folders.
You can set up as many levels of folders as you want. If a plus sign is in front of a closed folder
symbol , then this folder contains objects and/or additional folders. With a click on the plus sign
the folder is opened and the subordinated objects appear. With a click on the minus (which has
replaced the plus sign) the folder can be closed again. In the context menu you find the commands
'Expand nodes' and 'Collapse nodes' with the same functions.
With Drag&Drop you can move the objects as well as the folders within their object type. For this
select the object and drag it with pressed left mouse button to the desired position.
You can create more folders with the command 'New folder'.
Note:
Folders have no influence on the program, but rather serve only to structure your project clearly.
Example of folders in the Object Organizer
CoDeSys V2.3 4-41