Hidden functions of Siemens TIA Portal: 5 debugging skills that ChatGPT can’t learn

Unveiling the irreplaceable practical experience in industrial automation, deep skills that AI tools can’t replicate

Introduction: Why can’t ChatGPT learn these skills?

Although generative AI (such as ChatGPT) performs well in code generation and logic optimization, in the field of industrial automation, some debugging skills rely on engineers’ practical experience, a deep understanding of hardware interaction, and the unique mechanism of the TIA Portal platform. The following are 5 hidden functions that ChatGPT cannot directly reproduce, helping you unlock higher-level debugging efficiency.

Tip 1: Use VBS scripts to bypass internal variable security locks

Problem scenario: When the “value change” event of an internal variable triggers the script of another variable, the system will prevent continuous execution due to the security mechanism.
Solution:

• Use external variables (such as PLC variables) to trigger the script to avoid security locks.
• Sample code:

' Trigger script through external variables
SmartTags("PLC_Tag_01") = 1

Why ChatGPT is difficult to implement:
The code generated by AI may ignore the implicit restrictions of TIA Portal on internal variables, and the strategy needs to be adjusted in combination with the hardware communication logic.

Technique 2: Efficient batch assignment of dynamic arrays

Problem scenario: Directly operating the controller array will cause excessive communication load or inconsistent data.
Solution:

• Create a local array cache data in the script, and then synchronize it to the controller in batches.
• Sample code:

Dim localArray(10)
For i = 0 To 9
localArray(i) = SmartTags("PLC_Array")(i)
Next
' Process data and return
SmartTags("PLC_Array") = localArray

Why ChatGPT is difficult to implement:
It is necessary to balance communication efficiency and data consistency. The code generated by AI may ignore the performance loss of loop assignment.

Technique 3: Dynamic interface control through “layer” properties

Problem scenario: VBS script cannot directly operate the display and hiding of the screen layer (Layer).
Solution:

• Use variables to bind the “visibility” animation property to indirectly control the object display.
• Steps:

1. In the screen object properties, associate “visibility” with a Boolean variable.
2. Modify the variable value through the script to dynamically switch the display state.
   Why ChatGPT is difficult to implement:
   AI may mistakenly recommend calling layer operation functions directly (such as Visible=False), ignoring the runtime limitations of TIA Portal.

Tip 4: Accurately debug the problem of nested depth exceeding the limit in the script

Problem scenario: Multi-level script calls trigger the “maximum nesting depth” error.
Solution:

• Change the recursive logic to event-driven or state machine mode.
• Use global variables to track the call level to avoid nesting out of control.
  Why ChatGPT is difficult to implement:
  The code generated by AI may lack monitoring of the runtime stack and needs to be reconstructed in combination with the actual logic of the project.

Tip 5: Bypass MsgBox restrictions through system functions

Problem scenario: WinCC Comfort/Advanced versions disable MsgBox, affecting the output of debug information.
Solution:

• Use the ShowSystemAlarm function to display debug information instead.
• Sample code:

HMIRuntime.SystemAlarm.ShowAlarm "Debug information: Variable X exceeds limit!"

Why ChatGPT is difficult to implement:
AI may directly generate MsgBox code, ignoring version compatibility and safety restrictions of industrial scenarios.

Conclusion: The future of human-machine collaboration

Although AI tools have improved development efficiency, the complexity of industrial automation still depends on the practical experience of engineers. Mastering these hidden tricks can not only optimize the debugging process, but also highlight your irreplaceable role in the field of automation.