Source Code Revealed

Make sure you get the source code for what is inside of the wrapper. 

Wrapper Code

The term wrapper gets thrown around a lot. Generally, it’s used to describe a class which contains an instance of another class but which does not directly expose that instance. The wrapper's main purpose is to provide a 'different' way to use the wrapped object (perhaps the wrapper provides a simpler interface or adds some functionality).

Wrapper code can be used to hide the real source code and allow for module reusability.

I have used wrapper code to streamline module interfaces and drivers. For example a switcher using wrapper code can be the same for 10 different manufacturers and/or models. With just a few lines of code a module can be switched out to a different switcher. The wrapper code will stay the same no matter which switcher is being used. This will save time and money.

Wrapper code for modules and library files are all a great resource but not having the source code for everything is only a potential problem. The third-party programming company even wrapped the output strings coming back from the device into the wrapper code. So commands going to the device and coming back from the device were completely invisible. And it's that potential problem that some programming companies employ in order to have you come back to them over and over again, thereby charging you for the same code. I have spoken to many Audio/Video company owners and one complaint they have using programming companies is the fact they don't get the source code. Some dealers feel like they are paying the same price for the same programming work to be done on different jobs. So a programming company can program a system once and not give the client the code then charge the same price for a different job which is almost 100% the same. No doubt some programming companies’ revenue comes from manufacturing companies and Audio/Video dealers willing to pay for the same thing over and over again.

Give Me My Source Code

So why do some individual programmers and independent programming companies hold back on some or all of the source code? There may not be just one answer to that question and the answer may depend on the company. If you are one of those programming firms with several programmers and you have a large collection of modules, then they may be getting paid for holding the source code as ransom and making the client pay over and over for the same thing. Is repeat business being achieved from offering great service, great price and doing what you say you’re going to do or is it from holding the source code as ransom? 

The keys for good source code are: readable, easy to understand, and that it follows programming standards. It starts with getting the source code.

I am offering Engineering & Programming for $50 /hr.

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