Dev Report 02: NexaCode Code Generator from Lists to
Application
With the second Dev Report, we provide insight into the current development status of our NexaCode Code Generator. This time, the focus is on the evolution from a list and script-based workflow to a clearly structured software application. The goal is to further simplify recurring engineering processes in automation. At the same time, the generator is intended to become more flexible, maintainable, and adaptable to different target systems and customer-specific standards in the long term. Thus, a collection of lists and scripts will gradually become a tool that makes standardization in PLC engineering significantly more tangible.
Why code generation is important in PLC engineering.
In many automation projects, similar structures are created anew repeatedly. Data blocks, program logic, interfaces, variable structures, and project-specific standards must be created, maintained, and transferred to target systems. If this work is done manually or heavily list-based, recurring expenses quickly arise. At the same time, the risk of inconsistencies, maintenance effort, and errors due to manual transfer increases. A code generator can help by structurally automating recurring engineering tasks and making standards consistently usable.
From aid to independent application
The NexaCode Code Generator is no longer merely conceived as a tool for Excel lists and scripts. It is developing into a standalone, clearly structured software application. This is an important step because an application can better manage processes, make inputs more understandable, and present generation logics more transparently. Thus, technical preliminary work transforms into a process that is clearer, more maintainable, and ultimately more extensible for users.
What's currently being built
Currently, development is focused on core functionalities that evolve the code generator from a technical collection of lists and scripts into a usable engineering tool.
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- standalone software application instead of mere Excel lists and scripts
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- Selection of the target system directly in the application
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- Support for Siemens, Rockwell and Beckhoff
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- structured definition of lists, rules, and generation logic
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- Generation of data blocks and program structures with a click
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- internal use based on actual engineering requirements and adaptability to customer-specific standards
Selection of the Target System
An important component of the application is the selection of the target system. It is already possible to define within the code generator for which system the code should be generated. Currently, Siemens, Rockwell, and Beckhoff are integrated. This means the generator is not limited to a single environment but is designed for cross-system use. This is particularly important in automation, as companies often work with different control platforms, project standards, and customer requirements.
Clear and user-friendly interface customizable to client-specific standards
Another focus is on a clear and user-friendly interface. Lists, rules, and generation logic should be definable in a structured way. This makes the process more comprehensible. Users don't just have to maintain technical lists or execute scripts; they can better understand the generation's structure and control it more precisely. This improves not only usability but also maintainability and expandability. Standardization in automation does not mean that every project is identical. Many companies work with their own naming conventions, data structures, module standards, or project specifications. Therefore, adaptability is an important point. The generator should not only be relevant for internal structures but also be adaptable to customer-specific standards. This creates a tool that supports standardization without enforcing rigid specifications.
Generation with a click and practice-oriented
developed
developed
Data blocks and program structures can be generated in a few steps. These structures can then be imported into TIA Portal or other target systems. This approach reduces recurring manual engineering work. At the same time, it helps to create structures consistently and in a standardized way. Especially for repeatable projects, variants, or customer-specific standards, this can create significant added value. The NexaCode Code Generator is already used internally. This is precisely why its further development is not a theoretical tool, but based on real requirements from everyday engineering. This is crucial for us. A code generator must not only function technically, but genuinely help in everyday life. It must be traceable, adaptable, and robust enough to meaningfully simplify recurring tasks. Practice-oriented development here means: functions are created where specific engineering processes can be simplified, standardized, or made more maintainable.
Why standardization must be easy to use and NexaCode is becoming an engineering tool.
Standardization only helps if it can actually be applied in everyday engineering. If standards are too complicated, too rigid, or too complex to maintain, they will quickly be circumvented. A good code generator must therefore meet several requirements: it must be easy to use, remain flexibly expandable, and support different target systems. This is precisely where the NexaCode Code Generator comes in. The current development step shows where NexaCode is headed. A list- and script-based working method is evolving into an application that maps engineering processes in a more structured way. This makes standardization more tangible. Users can select target systems, define rules, generate structures, and transfer them to their PLC environment. This turns the code generator into a practical tool for PLC engineering, automation, and recurring project structures.
What the NexaCode Code Generator is designed to do
The NexaCode Code Generator is designed to reduce recurring engineering tasks and make standards usable more quickly. This involves not just pure code output, but a structured process for consistent automation projects.
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- Reduce recurring engineering work
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- Make standards usable faster
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- support different target systems
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- Consistently create structures
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- better reflect customer-specific requirements
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- Improve maintainability and extensibility
Benefits for PLC Engineering and Automation
The practical benefit lies mainly where recurring structures, standards, and target systems come together. Particularly in PLC engineering, consistent generation processes can help save time and reduce sources of error.
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- PLC and SPS Engineering
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- Siemens TIA Portal
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- Rockwell and Beckhoff projects
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- Standardization in Automation
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- recurring machine and plant structures
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- custom engineering standards
Outlook on upcoming features
Further functions and features will be presented in upcoming posts. The current status already shows the direction: NexaCode should not only automate engineering processes, but also make standardization more understandable, maintainable, and usable across systems. The focus remains on practical development. Further development is based on real requirements from automation, PLC engineering, and industrial software structure.
Conclusion: Making Standardization in Engineering More Tangible
The NexaCode Code Generator is evolving from a list- and script-based workflow into a standalone software application. This makes code generation in PLC engineering more structured, traceable, and ultimately better maintainable in the long term. Through target system selection, a clear interface, one-click generation, and adaptability to customer-specific standards, a tool is created that can reduce recurring engineering work and make standards usable more quickly. With NexaCode, we want to demonstrate how standardization in automation can be practically supported: not as a rigid concept, but as a flexible tool for real engineering processes.