What are the Key Differences Between Git Providers?
Does Your Git Provider Matter?
There are several key differences between Git-based Industrial DevOps providers, like Copia Automation, and general-purpose Git providers like GitHub, GitLab, and others. While those platforms are excellent for general software development, Copia is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of industrial automation and PLC programming.
Here are some of the key differences:
1. Visualization of PLC Files: See Your Code, Not Just Text
The Challenge: Traditional Git providers treat PLC files like any other text file. This means that you're looking at lines of code, which makes it difficult to understand the logic, identify changes, and perform effective code reviews. This is particularly challenging in manufacturing and distribution, which are dealing with workforce shortages, skills gaps, and knowledge retention from baby boomers that are retiring at rates estimated to be over 10,000 per day. The current workforce needs user-friendly interfaces and tools that support both knowledge retention and ease of onboarding.
Copia’s Solution: Copia renders PLC files visually, making it clear what has changed, where and when the change was made, and why. This means you can see ladder diagrams, function block diagrams, structured text, and other visualizations directly in Copia. This makes it dramatically easier to:
- Understand project logic: Grasp the flow of your program at a glance.
- Identify changes: Quickly pinpoint differences between versions with visual diffs.
- Perform effective code reviews: Review code changes in a familiar format, making reviews faster and more accurate.
2. Code Review Features: Collaborate & Improve with Ease
The Challenge: General-purpose Git providers offer basic code commenting, but it's often disconnected from the code's structure and logic. This makes it hard to provide context and have meaningful discussions about PLC code.
Copia’s Solution: Copia offers code commenting directly on the visualized PLC code. This means you can:
- Provide context-specific feedback: Comment directly on elements within ladder diagrams, function blocks, etc.
- Have focused discussions: Keep conversations relevant and organized around specific parts of the code.
- Improve code quality: Facilitate collaborative code reviews and catch errors early in the development process.
3. Advanced Merge: Handle Conflicts with Confidence
The Challenge: Merging changes in PLC code can be complex, especially when multiple people are working on the same project. Traditional Git tools often struggle with resolving conflicts in PLC files, leading to manual intervention and potential errors.
Copia’s Solution: Copia has developed an advanced merge tool specifically for Studio 5000 and TIA Portal files.
This tool:
- Understands PLC code structure: Intelligently identifies and resolves conflicts based on the logic of the program.
- Reduces manual effort: Automates much of the merge process, saving time and minimizing errors.
- Improves collaboration: Enables multiple programmers to work on the same project with confidence.
Why Git and Industrial DevOps Matters for Industrial Automation
For all the reasons above and many more, it’s important to have a platform that is designed to optimize the entire PLC development lifecycle. By providing tools tailored to the needs of industrial automation, you can:
- Improve code quality: Visualizations and code review features facilitate better understanding and collaboration, leading to fewer errors and more robust code.
- Increase efficiency: Streamlined workflows and automated tools save time and reduce manual effort.
- Enhance collaboration: Improved communication and code review features foster a more collaborative development environment.
- Reduce risk: Version control and advanced merge capabilities minimize the risk of errors and downtime.
If you’re serious about improving your PLC development process, request a demo today to see how Copia can transform your workflow.