Custom function blocks for use with process control systems

A system for creating a function block for use with a process control system, comprising:

• a computer readable medium;
• a first software stored on the computer readable medium and adapted to be executed by the process control system to select an initialization routine from a plurality of source files;
• a second software stored on the computer readable medium and adapted to be executed by the process control system to select a periodic execution routine from the plurality of source files;
• a third software stored on the computer readable medium and adapted to be executed by the process control system to select a write checking routine from the plurality of source files;
• a fourth software stored on the computer readable medium and adapted to be executed by the process control system to associate the initialization routine, the periodic execution routine and the write checking routine with the function block;
• and
• a fifth software stored on the computer readable medium and adapted to be executed by the process control system to modify one of the initialization routine, the periodic execution routine and the write checking routine to include a procedure not provided with the process control system.

A method of incorporating a function block within a process control system, the method comprising:

• generating the function block by combining a plurality of files from a group of files generated by a provider of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the function block and modifying one of the plurality of files within the source code file to include a procedure not included within the group of files;
• compiling and linking the source code file to form a compiled/linked function block file;
• transferring the compiled/linked function block file to the provider of the process control system;
• validating the compiled/linked function block file;
• appending a security measure to the compiled/linked function block file to form a validated function block file;
• transferring the validated function block file to a user of the process control system;
• and
• incorporating the validated function block file within the process control system.

A method of using a function block within a process control system, the method comprising:

• receiving function block information from a user of the process control system;
• determining whether the function block information is valid;
• generating security information in response to a determination that the function block information is valid;
• associating the generated security information with the function block;
• and
• sending the generated security information to the user if the function block information is valid.

A method of using a custom function block, comprising:

• conveying information from a data source to the custom function block;
• processing the information from the data source based on a function within the custom function block;
• and
• conveying at least some of the processed information to a process control system application.