Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 System Manual page 340

Test and service functions
16.1 Test functions
Testing with program status
The program status allows you to monitor the execution of the program. You can display the
values of operands and the results of logic operations (RLO). This allows you to detect and fix
logical errors in your program.
Note
Restrictions with the "Program status" function
Monitoring loops can significantly increase the cycle time. The increase in cycle time depends
on the following factors:
• The number of tags to be monitored
• The actual numbers of loops run through
Testing with program status
A test with the "Program status" function can cause serious damage to property or injury to
persons if there are functional disturbances or program errors.
Make sure that you take appropriate measures to exclude the risk of dangerous states
occurring before running a test with the "Program status" function.
Testing with breakpoints
With this test option, you set breakpoints in your program, establish an online connection,
and enable the breakpoints on the CPU. You then execute a program from one breakpoint to
another.
Requirements:
• Setting breakpoints is possible in the programming language SCL or STL.
Testing with breakpoints provides you with the following advantages:
• Localization of logic errors step by step
• Simple and quick analysis of complex programs prior to actual commissioning
• Recording of current values within individual executed loops
• Use of breakpoints for program validation also possible in SCL/STL networks within
LAD/FBD blocks
Note
Restriction during testing with breakpoints
• When you test with breakpoints, there is a risk of overwriting the cycle time of the CPU.
• If you are using technology objects and test them with breakpoints, the CPU switches to
STOP.
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System Manual, 11/2023, A5E46600094-AD