# CODESYS Project Export Guide

## Overview

CODESYS projects can be exported to readable XML formats that allow for better analysis, documentation, and version control. The binary `.project` file format is proprietary and not human-readable, but CODESYS provides export options that create XML files.

## Export Formats

### 1. CODESYS XML Format (*.export)

**Best for:** Full project export, version control, complete documentation

- **Format:** Fully compatible CODESYS XML format
- **Content:** Complete project structure in machine-parsable XML
- **Compatibility:** 100% compatible with CODESYS
- **Use Cases:**
  - Full project backup
  - Version control systems
  - Automated analysis and documentation
  - Project migration

**How to Export:**
1. Open your project in CODESYS IDE
2. Go to **Project → Export**
3. Select the objects you want to export (or select all)
4. Choose **CODESYS XML Format (*.export)** as the file type
5. Save the file (e.g., `Home_Automation.export`)

### 2. PLCopen XML Format (*.xml)

**Best for:** Interoperability, documentation tools, program structure

- **Format:** PLCopen XML standard
- **Content:** Subset of CODESYS elements (programs, function blocks, variables)
- **Compatibility:** May not include all CODESYS-specific features
- **Use Cases:**
  - Documentation generation
  - Integration with other tools
  - Program structure analysis
  - Cross-platform compatibility

**How to Export:**
1. Open your project in CODESYS IDE
2. Go to **Project → Export PLCopenXML**
3. Select the objects to export
4. Save the file (e.g., `Home_Automation.xml`)

## What Information Can Be Extracted

From exported XML files, we can extract:

### Project Structure
- Program Organization Units (POUs)
- Function blocks and functions
- Libraries and dependencies
- Project hierarchy

### Network Variables
- Variable names
- Data types
- Initial values
- Network variable declarations
- Direction (input/output)

### I/O Configuration
- EtherCAT device configuration
- I/O channel mappings
- Device parameters
- Scan rates

### Control Logic
- Program code structure
- Variable declarations
- Function block instances
- Logic flow

### Hardware Configuration
- Device configurations
- Network settings
- Communication parameters

## Recommended Export Process

For comprehensive documentation, export both formats:

1. **Full Export (CODESYS XML):**
   ```
   File: Home_Automation.export
   - Complete project structure
   - All configurations
   - Network variables
   - I/O mappings
   ```

2. **Program Export (PLCopen XML):**
   ```
   File: Home_Automation.xml
   - Program structure
   - Variable declarations
   - Logic organization
   ```

## After Export

Once you have the exported XML files:

1. **Share the files** - The XML files can be analyzed and documented
2. **Version control** - XML files are text-based and work well with Git
3. **Documentation** - Information can be extracted and added to the docs
4. **Analysis** - Scripts can parse the XML to extract specific information

## Next Steps

After exporting:

1. Place exported files in the project directory
2. Update `.gitignore` if needed (or commit the exports)
3. Use the exported files to:
   - Document network variables
   - Map I/O configurations
   - Understand control logic
   - Complete the documentation templates

## Example Export Workflow

```bash
# In CODESYS IDE:
1. File → Open → "Home_Automation (1).project"
2. Project → Export
   - Select: All objects
   - Format: CODESYS XML (*.export)
   - Save as: "Home_Automation.export"
3. Project → Export PLCopenXML
   - Select: Programs, POUs
   - Save as: "Home_Automation.xml"
```

## Notes

- Export files are typically much larger than binary project files
- XML exports are human-readable and can be opened in any text editor
- Some CODESYS-specific features may not be fully represented in PLCopen XML
- Exported files can be re-imported into CODESYS if needed

---

**Status:** Ready for export - follow the steps above to create readable project files
