Comparison PLC instructions could be used with a barcode reader system to sort products between which of the following?

Comparing PLC instructions in the context of a barcode reader system primarily facilitates automation and decision-making processes. In this case, sorting products between machines is an application that effectively leverages the capabilities of programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

When products are scanned by a barcode reader, the data obtained can convey various attributes about those products, such as type, specifications, or quality. By utilizing comparison instructions within a PLC program, the system can evaluate this data to determine which product should be directed to which machine for further processing, assembly, or packaging. This streamlines operations and increases efficiency in an automated environment, making it a practical choice for sorting based on machine capabilities or requirements.

While sorting between locations, people, or dates could theoretically involve some form of comparison, these scenarios are less directly associated with the application and operational logic executed by PLCs in a manufacturing or industrial setting. Sorting by locations might not require as complex decision-making as machines, and handling sorting based on people or dates enters more into the realm of administrative or scheduling tasks, which typically do not involve the same level of automation or real-time decision-making as sorting for machine processing.