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PLC Simulator Online Goes Open Source

Authors
  • avatar
    Name
    Szymon Palczynski
    Twitter

Introduction

I'm excited to announce that PLC Simulator Online is officially going open source. This decision wasn't made lightly, but I believe it's the best path forward for the project and its growing community of users. In this post, I'll share why I've decided to open-source the simulator, the challenges I've faced, and what you can expect next.

Why Open Source?

The main reason for making PLC Simulator Online open source is that I simply don't have enough time to maintain the project. With other commitments and projects taking up most of my time, I can't give the simulator the attention it deserves. However, the user base continues to grow, and I can see that many people find the simulator valuable. Users deserve a better, more robust simulator, and I believe the best way to achieve that is by opening up the project to the community. By going open source, I hope that passionate developers and users will contribute to improving the simulator, adding new features, fixing bugs, and making it a better tool for everyone.

I Don't Use It Enough

I once heard Elon Musk say on a Lex Fridman podcast that to make a product great, you need to use it yourself regularly. Unfortunately, I don't use the simulator enough in my own work to identify bugs, shortcomings, or areas for improvement. I hope that those who actively use the simulator will find the time and motivation to contribute, helping to make it better for everyone.

Why Didn't I Open Source It Earlier?

Honestly, I was initially afraid that someone might take my code and use it in a way that would prevent me from monetizing the project in the future. However, I've come to realize that without significant improvements, the simulator isn't going to be a product that justifies charging money. I was also hesitant because this was my first web application, and I was nervous about exposing my code to the world. While I'm proud of what I've accomplished with this project, I know that the code is far from perfect. Opening it up to the community feels like the right step to take, even if it's a bit daunting.

What's Next?

In the coming months, I'll be focusing on my "normal" job. I have several big projects that need my attention, and as a result, I won't have much time for side projects like this one. However, once those projects are completed, I plan to start working on a new simulator based on Rockwell Studio 5000 Logix Designer—the software I use every day in my job. This new simulator will be aimed not just at students but also at professionals, providing a tool that’s useful in everyday work. It won't be designed for mobile devices, as the focus will be on delivering a powerful, professional-grade tool.

If you're interested in following the development of this new project, keep an eye on this blog. I'll post updates as soon as I have something substantial to share.

Summary

PLC Simulator Online is now open source, and I believe that with the help of the community, we can make it better than ever. Whether you're a seasoned developer, a PLC enthusiast, or someone who simply finds value in the simulator, I invite you to contribute to the project. Your ideas, code contributions, and feedback are crucial to the continued growth and improvement of this tool.

Ready to get involved? Visit the repository at https://github.com/codingplc/plc-simulator and start contributing today!