OT: The most amazing UDT I've ever seen

[ASF]

I came across a UDT this morning that truly is a sight to behold. A marvel of engineering and software development.

If anyone would like a copy of this UDT, let me know and I will upload it. It's far too good to be kept to myself, I must share it with the world!

 

[JaxGTO]

 

[PreLC]

This is like looking at Tarantino's briefcase

Truly a marvel. Take note people, this is what bumps you from 5 figures to 7 figures.

 

[harryting]

This is like looking at Tarantino's briefcase

Truly a marvel. Take note people, this is what bumps you from 5 figures to 7 figures.

The more I learn about management, the more I believe this.

 

[dmroeder]

Soooo... what kind of masterpiece is the next one?

 

[cardosocea]

That's interesting... I wonder if the program was a conversion from a different PLC brand that has a TMR data type for timer and the guy created this for the software to look the same to maintenance looking to troubleshoot?

A bit like using typedef in C to abstract the word size in the processor the code is running on.

C code can run on desktop computers and 8 bit microcontrollers (library depending) and some data types will have 8-bits chars and others will have 32 bit chars (this isn't abstracted from the programmer like in a PLC).
So a common trick is to create a data type that explicitly tells you the size and use that instead of the language data types.
If you move the code to another processor with different word length, you change the definition to match the variable size in that platform and the code works (similar to copying IO into variables and when you need to change an IO point you make the change once).

 

[Saffa]

He probably started with TMR, wasn't sure so Googled it.

Then moved onto Vibrator, wasnt sure so Googled it.

Right about then the boss walks in.

New project engineer starts the next day to replace the one who just got sacked for misuse of company internet. Isn't sure what previous guy had done, so just leaves it.

 

[kwade]

That's interesting... I wonder if the program was a conversion from a different PLC brand that has a TMR data type for timer and the guy created this for the software to look the same to maintenance looking to troubleshoot?

Truly a marvel. Take note people, this is what bumps you from 5 figures to 7 figures.

If I were to do this, I would have to make at least three *new* timer UDTs.
TMRA - AD DirectLogic accumulating timer
TMRF - AD DirectLogic fast timer
STMR - AD PAC Suite simple timer

Talk about an increase in my base pay! Bonus for the OffDelay variety.
I could retire early.

 

[ASF]

Soooo... what kind of masterpiece is the next one?

Well, among other things, the Vibrator UDT has four instances of the TMR UDT.

Which means that instead of just addressing e.g. SomeVibrator.Vibrate_Timer.DN, you have to address SomeVibrator.Vibrate_Timer.TMR.DN

I mean maybe they just like repetition? I bet the person who wrote this code says "ATM Machine"

 

[dmroeder]

I bet the person who wrote this code says "ATM Machine"

LMAO!

 

[Maxkling]

LMAO!

Or MCP Panel.

 

[rupej]

I bet the person who wrote this code says "ATM Machine"

He probably forgets his PIN number all of the time too.

 

[Sparky22]

That's something Emerson/GE can't do is a Timer in a UDT. Very restrictive.

 

[I_Automation]

Quick & stupid question



Can that UDT process with a negative timer preset and not fault the CPU?


EDIT: On the road & can't test it

 

[MikeyN]

Quick & stupid question



Can that UDT process with a negative timer preset and not fault the CPU?


EDIT: On the road & can't test it

The quick answer is no.