GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR THE PROGRAMMING OF PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLERS

The user interface contains a project window ( 9, 90, FIGS. 2, 3 ) for interfaces (clips) of a programmable controller and programming windows ( 20, FIGS. 4, 10, 13; 67, FIG. 16 ) for each output interface of the programmable controller. Each such programming window ( 20, 67 ) contains a base node as a first graphical operating element ( 21, FIG. 10; 68, FIG. 16 ) for the output interface of the particular programming window and at least one additional node which serves as a graphical operating element ( 35, 47, 49, 51, 53, FIG. 10 ) for another interface (clip) or for a group of linked interfaces of the programmable controller. Each node has an output branch line ( 44, 48, 50, 52, 54, FIG. 10 ), the end of which can be routed to the base node or to another node be means of an operating means, such as a mouse. After the end of the output branch line is deposited on a respective other node, both a graphical link between the nodes and a control-system link between the interfaces which the nodes represent (FIG. 11, 12, 13 ) are produced. The user interface renders it possible even for users who have no experience with planning and design of controllers to produce a control program in a simple and error-free manner.