A Target-Independent Functional Programming Language

Abstract

This paper presents a new type of programming system, offering a new approach to programming modern process control systems. The kernel of the programming system is a graphical, basically functional programming language which is very easy to learn and understand. The language concept is based on modern theories of computer science. Its appearance (the syntactical form) is adapted to standards for graphical representations which are widely used in control technique; thus the new language is readily accepted by the users. Also, a complete set of software engieering tools has been developed for the language, dedicated to the requirements of process control software. This programming system is independent of the type of target processor and may thus be used to support a wide range of process control systems. Such programming systems (implementing a subset of the functionality presented here) have already been used successfully in a number of Brown Boveri's control systems.