What type of input do PLC's status indicators provide alongside discrete input?

In the context of PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) status indicators, the correct type of input is typically binary. PLC status indicators operate on a discrete input system, meaning they can represent a limited number of states, usually ON or OFF, which correspond to binary values (0 or 1).

While the term "digital" can also broadly describe binary inputs, in this context, binary input specifically refers to the two-state nature that status indicators typically provide. Each status indicator will signal whether a certain condition is true or false, which is precisely what binary input systems do.

Analog input, on the other hand, refers to a continuous range of values, as seen with sensors that might measure temperature or pressure. Continuous inputs are similar in that they provide an unrestricted range of values, which is not applicable when talking about the discrete nature of PLC status indicators. Hence, binary is the most accurate descriptor for the type of input status indicators provide.