Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · PLC and control programming

Graphical programming

Also known as: Visual programming

German: Grafische Programmierung

In PLC and automation programming, graphical programming is the creation of control programs with diagram-based languages, such as ladder diagram, function block diagram, sequential function chart or continuous function chart, instead of text.

  • PLC programming

In one sentence

Graphical programming builds control logic with diagrams such as LD, FBD, SFC or CFC instead of lines of text.

Example

A maintenance electrician adapts an interlock in a ladder diagram network, while the data processing of the same machine is written in structured text.

How it applies

  • Engineering: IEC 61131-3 defines graphical languages (LD, FBD, SFC) next to textual ones. Graphical languages suit Boolean logic, interlocks, signal flow and sequences; textual languages suit calculations, loops and data handling. Most projects mix both.
  • Maintenance: Graphical code with online status display is easier to diagnose for technicians without programming training, which is a common reason to write machine logic that is touched in the field graphically.
  • Tooling: Graphical code is harder to compare and merge in version control than text. Some tools offer graphical compare views or export to XML such as PLCopen XML.
  • Documentation: Graphical code often ends up in printed program documentation. Network titles and comments should state purpose and conditions in plain language, using the same names as the specification and the manual.

Graphical programming vs. low-code platforms

Graphical PLC languages are standardized programming languages with precisely defined execution. A Low-code/no-code platform usually targets IT and data applications and hides more of the execution model. Both are graphical, but their purpose and guarantees differ.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 26, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: AI TechDoc Blog editorial definition, based on IEC 61131-3 programming practice

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Blog and are not part of any standard.

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