Debugging functions, diagnostics and troubleshooting   
10.3 Overview: Diagnostics 
  S7-300, CPU 31xC and CPU 31x: Installation 
10-4  Operating Instructions, Edition 08/2004, A5E00105492-05 
The differences between forcing and modifying variables 
Table 10-1  The differences between forcing and modifying variables 
Characteristics/function  Forcing   Modifying Variables 
Memory bit (M)  -  Yes 
Timers and counters (T, C)  -  Yes 
Data blocks (DB)  -  Yes 
Inputs and outputs (I, O)  Yes  Yes 
Peripheral inputs (PI)  -  - 
Peripheral outputs (PO)  -  Yes 
User program can overwrite modify/force values  Yes  Yes 
Maximum number of force values    10  - 
Reference 
Details on test functions of the software are found in the 
STEP 7 Online Help
 and in the 
STEP 7 Programming Manual
. 
10.3  Overview: Diagnostics 
System errors can occur especially in the commissioning phase. Tracking these errors might 
be a time-consuming effort, since they can occur both on the hardware and software side. 
Here, the multitude of testing functions ensures commissioning without problems. 
 
 
Note 
Errors during operation are almost always a result of faults or damage to the hardware.  
 
Type of error 
Errors the S7 CPUs can recognize and to which you can react with the help of organization 
blocks (OBs) can be split into the following categories: 
•  Synchronous error: Errors you can relate to a specific point in the user program (error 
when accessing a peripheral module, for example). 
•  Asynchronous error: Errors you can not relate to a specific point in the user program 
(cycle time exceeded, module error, for example).