I personally was in a position to see the source code to the Walmart self checkout machines in 2006-7. Back then, the header was dated "1992", and written by NCR. It was the most convoluted, torturous piece of code I ever had the misfortune to see. I suggested a re-write, which was opposed. I suggested, at the very minimal, a test environment, which was not accepted. At the very least, the code is "updated" then it is installed in 100 sites - if no major complaints, it is installed throughout all Walmart. Walmart is bizarre about money - they absolutely refuse to invest in software tools to improve the lives of their developers - preferring instead to give the task to contractors who are not allowed to talk to Walmart management. So you end up with a very disjointed product that does not reflect the needs of the consumer that is continually broken, is not tested and cannot be repaired.
I am uncertain if the situation has changed since 2006-7.
Back before I went to all cash, my credit cards (and those of many others) would never scan at the local Walmart unless the clerk went through convolutions like puttint the card in one of the checkout bags and scanning it. I think the microswitches were worn out on ALL the scanners, but Walmart refused to replace them, thus resulting in huge frustrations for clerks and customers alike.
No problem now, though. I don’t shop at Walmart anymore because the shelves are always one half empty.
