A control apparatus where control programs and information programs coexist is allowed to change programs flexibly. The control programs and information programs are installed in the control apparatus, which is provided with a shared area. The shared area is an area that at least one control program and at least one information program can access. Shared information is stored in the shared area. The shared information includes at least one of information related to an I/O port accessed by the control programs, and information related to the control program. Each control program is a program that performs scan operation of outputting control information on the relevant control object apparatus coupled to the I/O port accessed for controlling a control object apparatus with respect to the control program, to this I/O port. Each information program is a program that performs information processing that does not include the scan operation.

A control apparatus where control programs and information programs coexist is allowed to change programs flexibly. The control programs and information programs are installed in the control apparatus, which is provided with a shared area. The shared area is an area that at least one control program and at least one information program can access. Shared information is stored in the shared area. The shared information includes at least one of information related to an I/O port accessed by the control programs, and information related to the control program. Each control program is a program that performs scan operation of outputting control information on the relevant control object apparatus coupled to the I/O port accessed for controlling a control object apparatus with respect to the control program, to this I/O port. Each information program is a program that performs information processing that does not include the scan operation.