Mastering PLC Programming: The software engineering survival guide to automation programming, Edition 2

M. T. White

Jan 2026 · Packt Publishing Ltd

Ebook

528

Pages

Tools

About this ebook

Understand PLC programming from a software engineering perspective and master advanced concepts like OOP and HMI development to design reusable, portable, and robust code Free with your book: DRM-free PDF version + access to Packt's next-gen Reader* Key Features

Deep dive into object-oriented PLC programming through hands-on, cutting-edge topics
Explore software engineering concepts like SDLC, debugging, version control, and SOLID programming
Get a thorough grasp on HMI development to build various HMI projects
Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book DescriptionObject-oriented programming (OOP) is a game-changing addition to PLC programming that’s revolutionizing the automation industry. This book equips you with the necessary skills to succeed in the modern automation programming environment. This second edition is designed to systematically guide you through advanced topics such as OOP design, SOLID programming, the software development life cycle (SDLC), library design, version control, HMI development, general software engineering practices, and more. To hone your programming skills, each chapter has a simulated real-world project that'll enable you to apply the skills you've learned. In all, this book not only covers complex PLC programming topics but also removes the financial barrier that comes with most books, as all examples utilize free software. This means that to follow along, you do not need to purchase any PLC hardware or software. By the end of this PLC book, you’ll have what it takes to create long-lasting codebases for any modern automation project. *Email sign-up and proof of purchase requiredWhat you will learn

Find out how to write PLC programs using advanced programming techniques
Explore OOP and UML concepts for PLC programming
Delve into software engineering topics such as libraries and SOLID programming
Explore HMIs, HMI controls, HMI layouts, and alarms
Grasp Industry 4.0 concepts to create smart, interconnected, and automated industrial systems
Gain hands-on experience by building simulated PLC and HMI projects
Get hands-on with using version control

Who this book is for

This book is for automation programmers with a background in software engineering topics such as object-oriented programming and general software engineering knowledge. Automation engineers, software engineers, electrical engineers, PLC technicians, hobbyists, and upper-level university students with an interest in automation will also find this book useful and interesting. Anyone with a basic knowledge of PLCs can benefit from reading this book.

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About the author

M.T. White has been programming since the age of 12. His fascination with robotics flourished when he was a child, programming microcontrollers such as Arduinos. M.T. currently holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics, an M.S. in software engineering, an M.S. in cybersecurity and information science, and an MBA in IT Management. M.T. is currently working as a DevOps engineer and serves as an adjunct CIS instructor at ECPI University, where he teaches Python, C, and a range of other courses. His background mostly stems from the automation industry, where he programmed PLCs and HMIs for many different types of applications. M.T. has programmed many different brands of PLCs over the years and has developed HMIs using many different tools. Other technologies M.T. is fluent in are Linux, C#, Java, and Python. Be sure to check out his channel, AlchemicalComputing, on YouTube.

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