I was hired through Paragon Data Services, LLC. as a short term contractor to solve a temporary resource problem. Diebold, Inc. builds Automated Teller Machines. I was hired to write software applications requested by Diebold's clients. Along the way, I was involved in a number of other things.
I wrote and assisted in testing a new application called CashNWin which runs on Diebold's ATMs under the OS/2 operating system. The application is written in C++.
I updated an existing application called SplitPos which also runs on Diebold's ATMs and is written in C++. I found some multi-threading synchronization problems and fixed those as well. I was responsible for all coding and testing.
I created a new framework library called the Application Foundation Classes library which supplements an existing framework called Diebold Foundation Classes library. There were some problems with the DFC library which prevented portions of it from being used with the initial CashNWin project. The AFC library replaces that portion of the DFC library. However, new code is minimized by wrapping as much of the DFC library as possible. The problems with the DFC were related to interface and to extendibility in a direction the original author had not anticipated. Unfortunately, it was too late in the life cycle to redesign the DFC library so an independent library was constructed.
I discovered and fixed some multi-threading problems in a couple of applications (including the DFC library) and was consulted on other multi-threading problems. I was also briefly consulted for advice on a particular OS/2 device driver. I did no development on that project however.
I completely rebuilt the build scripts used for both OS/2 and Windows NT for the DFC library and for applications using the DFC library, the AFC library and the STL. This was necessary because the OS/2 and NT versions of the DFC library were not in synchronization and no formal release of the OS/2 library had been made (but was necessary for the CashNWin project). This also involved extensive use of PVCS.
I performed a partial review of the design of the DFC library and, in general, searched for possible implementation problems and for operating system incompatibilities.
I completed phase II of the CashNWin project up to, but not including, final testing. Final testing was delayed because of customer delays and was handed off to internal personnel. I was responsible for all development and preliminary testing.
After a learning curve for Diebold's development environment and applications, and a further learning curve involving working with and testing on ATMs, I gradually migrated my development effort so that everything except final onsite testing was done as a local telecommuter. I duplicated the office development environment so that, as usual, my home office environment was faster and more efficient. When necessary, I connected to the office via a VPN using Windows 2000.
Notes...
I was hired because of an urgent and immediate need for additional development resources with a very short timeframe. This initial project was completed successfully and on time, as have the succeeding projects. The contract was for an expected 4 to 6 months, depending on Diebold's clients. I actually started a few days before the end of November even though the planned start date was the start of November because of their pressing need.
Reason for leaving...
Completion of contract.
Languages...
C++Hardware...
Automated Teller MachinesOperating systems...
Windows NT (version 4.0)
Windows 2000 Professional
OS/2 WarpSoftware...
Visual C++ (version 6.0)
VisualAge C++ for OS/2 (version 3.08)
Intersolv's Version Manager (PVCS)
Intersolv's Configuration Builder
RimStarReferences...
Natalie Gainer (Diebold: 330-490-5077)
Adam J. Outland (Paragon: 313-791-0961)
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