Open SCADA

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

It is encouraging note that there are some initiatives towards open source standard for SCADA applications. The targets are also impressive. Congratulations to the developers.

Specifications
Interfaces
Reference Implementations
- Test Tools
- Sample Applications
- Base Libraries
- Standard protocol implementations
Documentation

With the availability of OPC Unified Arcitecture the possibility of open source standards increases. More such initiatives are welcome.

Python for Industrial Automation Part 1

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A quick google search on this topic does not reveal much. But this does not mean Python is not suitable for Industrial Automation.

Python is an easy to learn and a cross-platform popular programming language.
Python provides an excellent ecosystem for better software.
Python has all the necessary libraries for Industrial Automation Software development.
Python can easily be used for non-real time tasks in industrial automation
Python is easy to embed and extend. So where speed is really a concern (even for non-real time tasks) Python functions or modules can be easily replaced by equivalent C or C++ code through SWIG or Boost.Python.
Industrial Automation software is typically closed source till now. The trend is changing. But that is the topic of another blog. All Python licenses, unlike the GPL, let you distribute a modified version without making your changes open source. Python can be interfaced to proprietary software without any legal hassles. This aspect of Python license may appeal to some commercial Industrial Automation software developers.

So for Industrial Automation software development Python can be a cool choice. Most of these arguments also hold good for Ruby programming language. However, Ruby license may not appeal to some commercial Industrial Automation software developers who are not interested to open source the changes due to various intellectual property related reasons.

FOSS.IN/2006 hosted an interesting talk about Creating a Flexible Robot Controller using Python.

Thinking Industrial Automation

Open SCADA

Python for Industrial Automation Part 1