Supporting instruction set architecture components across releases

A method for updating an instruction set library in a programmable logic controller, the method comprising:

• receiving, by the programmable logic controller, an updated instruction set library comprising a plurality of programming instructions, wherein the updated instruction set library updates a former instruction set library comprising at least a portion of the plurality of programming instructions;
• identifying, by the programmable logic controller, affected routines, wherein the affected routines comprise one or more of the plurality of programming instructions, and wherein the affected routines are executed as part of executable code of the programmable logic controller to provide input signals to and receive output signals from a physical machine in an automation environment;
• breaking, by the programmable logic controller, a binding of the former instruction set library to an application programming interface of a firmware of the programmable logic controller;
• binding, by the programmable logic controller, the updated instruction set library to the application programming interface;
• breaking, by the programmable logic controller, a binding of the affected routines to the former instruction set library;
• and
• rebinding, by the programmable logic controller, the affected routines to the updated instruction set library, wherein the rebinding is performed between scans of the executable code of the programmable logic controller.