Controllers for industrial automation are programmed with specific programming languages, which are oriented to the available know-how of the maintaining personnel. The language Ladder Diagram e.g. offers similar input as if drawing circuit diagrams for relay controllers. The international standard IEC 61131 defines four languages in addition, two graphical - Sequential Function Chart and Function Block Diagram - and two textual languages - Instruction List and Structured Text.

Beside these standardized languages the manufacturers defined also specific languages. System integrators are asked to deliver automation plants matching to already existing devices and languages of a customer to keep maintenance times low. This is the origin of various conversion tasks, which should also be done automatically.

Converters for such tasks are developed by AS-Software.