Code Generation – History of C#

As we start our articles about automatic code generation with TIA Portal, let’s introduce the programming language we will be using. C# (pronounced “C-sharp”) is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world today. Developed by Microsoft, C# was designed to be a simple, modern, and object-oriented language that would address many of the shortcomings of other programming languages of its time. It has become a cornerstone of Microsoft’s .NET framework and has played a crucial role in the development of modern software applications. This article explores the origins, evolution, and impact of C# on the programming world.

The Origins of C#

C# was created in the late 1990s as part of Microsoft’s response to the growing dominance of Java, a language that had become incredibly popular for web development and enterprise applications. At the time, Microsoft was looking to create a new programming language that could work seamlessly with the newly conceived .NET framework, which was designed to provide a platform for building applications across various devices and operating systems.

The development of C# was spearheaded by Anders Hejlsberg, a prominent Danish software engineer known for his work on Turbo Pascal and Delphi at Borland. C# was conceived as a language that would combine the best features of C++, Java, and Visual Basic, while avoiding some of their complexity and limitations. C# aimed to offer a high-level, object-oriented language that was both flexible and easy to use, making it accessible to a broad range of developers.

The Launch of C# (2000)

C# was officially introduced to the world in 2000 at Microsoft’s Professional Developers Conference (PDC), alongside the first version of the .NET framework. The language immediately attracted attention due to its modern syntax, which was familiar to developers who had worked with languages like C++ and Java but simplified to reduce common pitfalls.

The first version of C# (C# 1.0) was included in the release of the .NET framework in 2002. It provided core features such as:

• Object-oriented programming: C# was designed from the ground up as an object-oriented language, emphasizing encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
• Type safety: C# was stricter than C++ in terms of type checking, making it easier to catch errors early in the development process.
• Garbage collection: Like Java, C# included an automatic memory management system, known as garbage collection, that helped reduce memory leaks and other memory-related bugs.
• Interoperability: C# was designed to work well with the .NET framework, which allowed it to integrate seamlessly with other languages like VB.NET and F#.

Evolution of C#

Since its introduction, C# has undergone several significant changes. Each version of the language has introduced new features to keep it modern, relevant, and competitive in a rapidly changing programming landscape.

1. C# 2.0 (2005): This version introduced several key features that enhanced the flexibility and power of the language, including generics, anonymous methods, nullable types, and iterators. These additions made it easier to write reusable and type-safe code.
2. C# 3.0 (2007): This release brought LINQ (Language Integrated Query), a powerful feature that allowed developers to query collections of data directly within the C# syntax. LINQ significantly simplified working with data and revolutionized how developers interacted with databases, XML, and in-memory collections.
3. C# 4.0 (2010): This version added features like dynamic typing, named and optional parameters, and co/contra-variance in generics. Dynamic typing provided more flexibility in working with COM objects and dynamic languages.
4. C# 5.0 (2012): This release focused on asynchronous programming with the introduction of the async and await keywords. These features made it easier to write non-blocking, scalable code, especially in applications involving I/O operations like web services or file handling.
5. C# 6.0 (2015): This update streamlined the language with features like expression-bodied members, null-conditional operators, and string interpolation. These features improved code readability and reduced boilerplate.
6. C# 7.0 to C# 7.3 (2017–2018): The C# 7.x series introduced several useful features, such as tuples, pattern matching, local functions, and ref returns. These additions made C# more powerful and expressive for functional-style programming.
7. C# 8.0 (2019): This version introduced nullable reference types, asynchronous streams, and ranges. Nullable reference types were particularly important for improving code safety by helping developers avoid null reference exceptions.
8. C# 9.0 (2020): This version emphasized immutability and simplicity with features like records, init-only properties, and top-level statements, making it easier to write clean and efficient code.
9. C# 10.0 and Beyond: Recent updates to C# have continued to refine the language by adding features such as global using directives, file-scoped namespaces, and improved pattern matching. These changes enhance the developer experience and help C# stay competitive with modern languages.

The Role of C# in Modern Development

C# has become a core language in many areas of software development, particularly in the Microsoft ecosystem. It’s used for building a wide variety of applications, including:

• Enterprise software: Many companies use C# to build robust, scalable enterprise applications using the .NET framework.
• Web development: With the advent of ASP.NET, C# became a popular choice for building dynamic web applications.
• Game development: Unity, one of the most widely used game development engines, relies heavily on C# for scripting. This has made C# one of the top languages for game development.
• Cross-platform development: With the introduction of .NET Core (now .NET 5 and beyond), C# can be used to build cross-platform applications that run on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Mobile development: Xamarin, a popular mobile app development framework, uses C# to build native Android and iOS apps.

How C# Works with TIA Openness

TIA Openness provides an API based on COM (Component Object Model) that can be accessed using C# to perform the following tasks:

• Project Automation: Create new TIA Portal projects, open existing ones, and automate engineering workflows.
• Device and Network Configuration: Define and configure devices, networks, and communication connections within a TIA project.
• PLC Code Generation: Automatically generate PLC code, including blocks, tags, and data types.
• Import/Export: Automate the import and export of project data, including PLC code and HMI screens.
• Version Management: Implement version control and compare versions of TIA projects.

Example: Basic Steps to Use C# with TIA Openness

1. Reference TIA Openness in Your C# Project: First, add the required TIA Openness libraries (e.g., Siemens.Engineering.dll) to your C# project.
2. Connect to TIA Portal: Use C# to establish a connection to the TIA Portal instance.csharpCopy codeusing Siemens.Engineering; using Siemens.Engineering.HW; TiaPortal portal = new TiaPortal(TiaPortalMode.WithoutUI); Project project = portal.Projects.Create(@"C:\MyProjects", "SampleProject");
3. Create or Modify PLC Programs: You can programmatically create PLC objects, like function blocks, and add code.csharpCopy codePlcSoftware plc = device.DeviceItems[1].GetService<PlcSoftware>(); PlcBlock block = plc.BlockGroup.Blocks.Create(PlcBlockType.FB, "MyFunctionBlock");
4. Automation Scripts: You can use C# scripts to automate repetitive tasks like updating tag values, renaming blocks, or exporting data.

Benefits of Using C# with TIA Openness

• Efficiency: Automates repetitive engineering tasks, reducing manual effort.
• Customization: Create tailored solutions for specific engineering needs.
• Consistency: Ensure uniformity and compliance with project standards by programmatically generating code.
• Integration: Use C# to integrate TIA projects with other systems or databases for enhanced data handling and reporting.

Conclusion

C# is a powerful tool for leveraging TIA Openness to automate and optimize workflows within Siemens’ TIA Portal environment. By using C# to interact with the TIA Openness API, engineers can significantly reduce manual configuration efforts, enhance project consistency, and speed up the engineering process.