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

Software development

Also known as: Software engineering, Programming

German: Softwareentwicklung

In engineering, software development is the set of activities that turn requirements into working software, including analysis, design, implementation, testing, integration, release and maintenance.

  • PLC programming

In one sentence

Software development turns requirements into working software through design, coding, testing, integration, release and maintenance.

Example

A machine builder develops its PLC libraries in sprints, with code reviews, automated tests on virtual controllers and tagged releases in version control.

How it applies

  • Engineering: Automation software development increasingly uses general software practices: version control, code reviews, coding guidelines, automated tests, continuous integration. PLC tools that store projects in binary formats make some of these harder; text-based exports and tool integrations help.
  • Safety: Safety-related software follows a defined lifecycle, such as the software requirements of IEC 61508-3 or IEC 62061 and ISO 13849-1, with documented requirements, restricted languages, reviews and Verification.
  • Tools: AI coding assistant tools can generate code and tests, but generated code needs the same review and testing as human-written code.
  • Documentation: Development produces documents that the documentation team can reuse: requirements, interface specifications, release notes, known limitations. Agree early on how these feed the user and service documentation.

Software development vs. configuration

Configuring parameters in a device is not the same as developing software, but both change behavior. Both need Configuration control.

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

Source: AI TechDoc Blog editorial definition, based on software engineering practice (ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207)

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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