Rockwell Automation Logix5000 Controllers IEC 61131-3 Compliance Programming Manual - Manual (Page 12)

12 Rockwell Automation Publication 1756-PM018C-EN-P - November 2012
Chapter 1 IEC61131-3 Compliance
IEC61131-3 Program Portability One of the goals of end-users creating programs in an IEC61131-3 compliant
environment is the movement or portability of programs between controllers
developed by different vendors. This area is a weakness of IEC61131-3 because
no file exchange format is defined by the specification. This means that if any
program created in one vendor's environment will require manipulation to move
it to another vendor's system.
In order to minimize the effort involved in performing cross-vendor portability,
the Logix Designer application for the controllers includes a full ASCII export
and import utility. Additionally, the file format that is utilized by this tool is
based on a hybrid of the IEC61131-3 Structured Text language definition.
Controller operating system and data definitions follow the appropriate
IEC61131-3 formats. Extensions were implemented in order to convert Ladder
Diagram logic into ASCII text since this is not defined by IEC61131-3.
For more information on the ASCII export and import utility of the Logix
Designer application, see the
Logix5000 Controllers Import/Export Reference
Manual, publication 1756-RM084.