I got asked to make some modifications to an OEM machine by a client. The client does not have a copy of the PLC program & the machine manufacturer is not very forthcoming with providing any information or support.
So, I do what I dread the most - upload the PLC program and hack it.
Unfortunately, this is how PLC programs become orphaned. Some guy gets asked to modify the PLC without the original source code and has to hack the program.
The program running on the PLC then becomes different to the original commented code which makes that nice commented copy (on someones hard drive somewhere) obsolete.
Alas, you end up with an uncommented PLC code with some horrible hacks as the 'latest and greatest' version of source code.
The original programmer then promptly dis-owns this code because it is a horrible abomination of nature. The guys who did the hack has taken his money and disappeared (probably hiding in a hole because he/she is too ashamed of the crime he/she committed against code clarity).
The code is thus orphaned, forever shunned by all future programmers who see her.
I going back to hide in my hole.
So, I do what I dread the most - upload the PLC program and hack it.
Unfortunately, this is how PLC programs become orphaned. Some guy gets asked to modify the PLC without the original source code and has to hack the program.
The program running on the PLC then becomes different to the original commented code which makes that nice commented copy (on someones hard drive somewhere) obsolete.
Alas, you end up with an uncommented PLC code with some horrible hacks as the 'latest and greatest' version of source code.
The original programmer then promptly dis-owns this code because it is a horrible abomination of nature. The guys who did the hack has taken his money and disappeared (probably hiding in a hole because he/she is too ashamed of the crime he/she committed against code clarity).
The code is thus orphaned, forever shunned by all future programmers who see her.
I going back to hide in my hole.
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