Data format conversion method and equipment, and controller management system using data format conversion equipment

A controller management system comprising:

• a controller including a computer for controlling a controlled target in accordance with a control program of a second data format stored in memory means;
• and
• a controller management apparatus so provided as to be capable of communicating with said controller through a communication network;
• said controller management apparatus including:
• a programmer unit including an editor for creating a control program of said controller, the control program having a first data format;
• and
• a data format converter for inputting the control program of the first data format created by the editor of said programmer unit,
• wherein the programmer unit requests said controller to supply an editor program for use by the editor,
• wherein when the editor program is an intermediate language program, the control program of the first data format is not converted to a control program of a second data format, and
• wherein when the editor program is not an intermediate language program, the data format converter converts the control program of the first data format to the control program of the second data format, and outputs the control program of the second data format to said controller.