Can I learn programming logic controllers myself?

Question

IT education

Hello! I graduated from Synergy, specialty "Information systems and technologies". Then he joined the army, on his return he got a job ... as a salesman in M.Video. I didn't start my career in IT.

Everything wanted to go to the web, but somehow it went through force. I lost interest and studied through force, eventually quit. In general, on YouTube I came across a video about programming logic controllers. Watched the whole playlist. Insanely exciting stuff. Moreover, you immediately see the result of your work, and there is no race for technology, as in the web, i.e. in this area will still be more "stable". My question is: is it possible to master this profession on your own or do you still need courses? Let's say the theory can be learned, but for practice - buy a PLC.

Since this resource is specifically for technical issues, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the following points:

1) Is it possible to program a PLC in the C language? I like this language even at the university, some knowledge is still there.

2) Do I understand correctly that first of all it is better to study digital electronics, the device of controllers, and then to engage in programming? I'm just going to learn the basics for now. Selected the following books:

• Digital circuitry and computer architecture. ARM Architecture Supplement | Harris David M., Harris Sarah L.
  
• Stephen Prata "The C Programming Language. Lectures and Exercises"
  
• "Dive into Design Patterns" by Alexander Shvets
  

Do you think this is enough to lay the basic knowledge?

Thanks in advance for your replies and advice!

Answer 1

PLCs are programmed in one of the standard languages
​​C and C++ are not on this list, there are similarities
Knowledge and programming methods that are suitable for PC programming are not suitable for PLCs, they have their own specifics.
This is due to the historical fact that PLCs have replaced relay circuits. And the relay circuit does not work in the form of executing a sequence of instructions (as a PC works), but in the form of transitions between states (read "automaton with a finite number of states" in the wiki). And in order to transfer all the developments of the good old relay logic (and developers), PLCs were made convenient for such programming.
The main thing that is needed for this development is practice on real hardware, that is, stands, controllers and programming software. Purely theoretically, in some simulators you can only learn to understand the specifics, but debugging / debugging is only real hardware with real glitches.
Digital electronics is not in the first place here; from the point of view of electronics, no one will seriously climb into the PLC (because the losses from a PLC that has gone by the roof can easily and repeatedly cover the cost of replacing a dead one). The usual science of contacts and an understanding of Ohm's law is sufficient.
To give you an idea of ​​your strength, try to sketch right here how you will use a PLC to automate the operation of a simple Soviet air compressor that someone wanted to connect to a SCADA system in their garage.
- what sensors are needed
- what actuators are needed -
how to ensure the safe operation of the machine when the PLC goes over the roof

Answer 2

Esteem CoDeSys
Languages ​​ST (analog of Pascal/S), graphic CFC and SFC are necessary.
There is also a 3rd version of Codesys, where you can use objects and interfaces (OOP).