PLC programming has been frozen in time for decades. Chronax breaks that pattern. Built on proven IEC 61131-3 foundations, Chronax is a modern synchronous language that brings strong typing, OOP, formal verification, and test-driven development to industrial automation. Write in text or switch to Ladder and Grafcet diagrams instantly—no information loss. Test logic without hardware. Prove safety properties formally. Deploy to any PLC or generate embedded code. Chronax gives automation engineers the tools software developers have had for 30 years—without abandoning proven automation paradigms.
Chronax has zero vendor-specific constructs. I/O declarations are abstract—define what your system needs, map to actual hardware at build time. The same source code generates programs for Siemens, Rockwell, or Schneider PLCs, or compiles to C for custom embedded systems. Switch platforms without rewriting.
Eliminate runtime errors with compile-time type checking. Build reusable components with object-oriented programming and generic packages. Modern software engineering, industrial-strength reliability.
Same inputs always produce same outputs—guaranteed. Chronax's synchronous model with logical time ensures reproducible behavior for testing, simulation, and safety-critical applications. No race conditions, no timing surprises.
Language restrictions prevent unsafe constructs. No undefined behavior, no hidden side effects, no memory corruption. Designed from day one for safety-critical applications.
Catch errors at compile time, not during commissioning. Advanced static analysis detects dead code, unreachable states, type violations, and logic errors before deployment.
Generate mathematical proofs of correctness for safety-critical systems. Chronax supports formal verification methods required for SIL 2/3, IEC 61508, and aerospace standards. Certification-ready by design.
Write tests alongside your control logic. Validate functions, procedures, and state machines without hardware. Run thousands of tests in seconds—catch bugs before commissioning.
Create automated test scenarios that validate end-to-end system behavior. Define inputs, expected outputs, and timing requirements. Ensure no regressions as your codebase evolves.
Simulate complete PLC programs on your laptop—faster than real-time. Step through code, inspect variables, and validate behavior under every condition. Debug at your desk, not on the factory floor.
Switch between text and graphical representations instantly—no information loss. Edit in code or diagrams; both views stay perfectly synchronized. One source of truth, multiple views.
Software developers write in text with modern IDE features. Automation engineers review and edit in Ladder or Grafcet diagrams. Same codebase, comfortable for everyone.
Software Developer Mode: Advanced code editor, refactoring tools, Git integration, terminal access.
Automation Engineer Mode: Visual diagram editors, project tree, function block library.
Switch instantly based on the task at hand.
Compile, test, simulate, and deploy—all from the command line. Perfect for CI/CD pipelines, automated builds, and scripting. Full control without opening an IDE.
