What happens when the timer tag on a PULSE instruction expires?

When the timer tag on a PULSE instruction expires, the program moves to the next line without delay. The PULSE instruction is designed to generate a brief pulse output for a specified duration, controlled by the timer. Once the specified time elapses, the timer resets, and the pulse output stops, allowing the program to continue executing subsequent instructions. This non-blocking behavior ensures that the control flow is not stalled while waiting for the timer to complete, enabling continuous operation of other parts of the program.

In this context, the other options suggest behaviors that are not typical of a PULSE instruction. For example, stopping execution until reset would hinder real-time processing and would not reflect the intended function of a PULSE instruction. The generation of an alert to the user is unrelated to the timer's expiration, as PULSE is primarily focused on output control rather than user notifications. Lastly, the idea that the current output remains active contradicts the purpose of the timer, which is to create a temporary output rather than a continuous one. Understanding this functionality is crucial for effective programming in control systems.