Author(s)

Gülden Bayrak, Felix Ocker, Birgit Vogel-Heuser

Institute of Automation and Information Systems, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

Different programming languages can be used for discrete, abstract and process-oriented programming. Depending on the application, there exist additional requirements, which are not fulfilled by every programming language. Flexible programming and maintainability are especially important requirements for process engineers. In this paper, the programming languages Activity Diagram, State Chart Diagram and Sequential Function Chart are compared and evaluated with regard to these requirements. This evaluation is based on the principles of cognitive effectiveness and cognitive dimensions. The aim of this paper is to identify the programming language suited best for controlling sequential processes, e.g. thermomechanical or batch processes.

Cognition, Cognitive Science, Graphical User Interfaces, Human Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Programmable Logic Controllers, Process Control

Bayrak, G. , Ocker, F. and Vogel-Heuser, B. (2017) Evaluation of Selected Control Programming Languages for Process Engineers by Means of Cognitive Effectiveness and Dimensions. Journal of Software Engineering and Applications, 10, 457-481. doi: 10.4236/jsea.2017.105026.