System and method for using a graphical user interface to develop a virtual programmable logic controller

A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause a processing device to:

• receive, from a first portion of a graphical user interface (GUI) representing a tool box, a first selection of a first object from a plurality of objects represented in the GUI, wherein each of the plurality of objects performs a respective function;
• insert, into a horizontal section of a second portion of the GUI representing the virtual PLC application, the first object, wherein the horizontal section comprises a second object that executes simultaneously as the first object in the horizontal section;
• compile code implementing the first object and the second object to generate a virtual PLC application;
• add a shortcut of the virtual PLC application to a virtual tray of an operating system.

A system comprising:

• a memory device storing instructions;
• a processing device communicatively coupled to the memory device, the processing device executes the instructions to:
• receive, from a first portion of a graphical user interface (GUI) representing a tool box, a first selection of a first object from a plurality of objects represented in the GUI, wherein each of the plurality of objects performs a respective function;
• insert, into a horizontal section of a second portion of the GUI representing the virtual PLC application, the first object, wherein the horizontal section comprises a second object that executes simultaneously as the first object in the horizontal section;
• compile code implementing the first object and the second object to generate a virtual PLC application;
• add a shortcut of the virtual PLC application to a virtual tray of an operating system.