Can a programmer take over from another

[FrankAntares]

I work for a company where the C++ programmer has died suddenly and there is no one else that is capable of programming.
Is it possible for an experienced programmer to take over under these circumstances?

Frank Antares

[ResidentBiscuit]

Nope. Code is bound-on-person. If said person is unavailable, you have to restart the whole project.

[Moschops]

It's like magic. Just writing the words down doesn't mean someone else can use those words. The compiler can tell and it won't compile them. It all has to be regenerated by the new coder.

[FrankAntares]

Thank you ResidentBiscuit & Moschops.

[vlad from moscow]

I think it depends on relations between the company and the programmer that is. who is the owner of the code.

[FrankAntares]

To vlad from moscow
The programmer was the company managing director, but no one else has any understanding of the code.

[vlad from moscow]

If code is good written then somebody can understand it.:)

[rollie]

Are you in the U.S.? If so, code was deemed the property of the developer in a landmark case in 2003 (Jobs v C.Sens, I think was the name). When a software developer leaves the company, their code comes with them, and may be licensed out for us by the company by said developer. When a developer dies, rights pass to their next-of-kin, and license must be obtained from them for continued use.

[D80DSL3A]

I think that if the original programmer documented his code fairly well, and if you can provide a detailed description of what the program is supposed to do, then an experienced programmer could probably continue the work.

[shacktar]

Is it possible for an experienced programmer to take over under these circumstances?

Possible, yes. Practical, depending on the circumstances.

An experienced programmer should be able to digest an already-written project and jump in after some ramp-up time. However, there exists a threshold where this "ramp-up time" becomes such that it is more practical to rewrite the project.

EDIT: I thought I was making up a term, i.e. "ramp-up time" but apparently it's in use: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooks's_law

[ResidentBiscuit]

Are you in the U.S.? If so, code was deemed the property of the developer in a landmark case in 2003 (Jobs v C.Sens, I think was the name)

I'm sure most companies have contracts to protect against exactly this.

[FrankAntares]

Thank you to everyone that has replied.
I am based in the UK and I do not know if the company will be able to continue, following the loss of the MD who was the only company programmer.
I will now end this discussion, which I may re-open if there is a chance that the company can survive in some form.
At least there is some hope that a skilled programmer could at least provide updates to allow access to new Windows programmes such as Windows 8.
The current programmes are working without any problems, but they do require an element of updating.
Once again, thank you for all your replies.
Frank