Why can digital computers make industrial control systems easier to reprogram?

Digital computers make industrial control systems easier to reprogram because they allow for the execution of a wide variety of tasks through software rather than fixed physical hardware.1

In conventional control systems, achieving new functions or revising existing ones typically requires replacing physical hardware components. In contrast, a digital computer can be readily programmed to perform different tasks. If the nature of an industrial process changes or if a previous control strategy proves inadequate, the system's behavior can be updated simply by changing the program, without necessitating any modifications to the physical equipment.1

This flexibility is a significant advantage in modern automation, as it enables manufacturers to handle smaller production runs and adapt to variations in operations—such as tool wear—more efficiently than was possible with traditional, hardware-dependent control methods.1