Re: How should DoD further Ada education?

[g_harrison@vger.nsu.edu (George C. Harrison, Norfolk State University)]

In article <0D010010.mqixud@brain.UUCP>, chuck@brain.UUCP (Chuck Shotton) writes:
> In article <2289@aldebaran.cs.nps.navy.mil>, 
> schweige@aldebaran.cs.nps.navy.mil (Jeffrey M. Schweiger) writes:
>> 
>> 3.  How do we expand the number of Ada-literate people coming out of the
>> universities?
>> 
>> 
> Simple, stop teaching Pascal as a first language and use Ada. I can' believe
> how many university curricula still rely on Pascal as a teaching language.
> Is this because the professors themselves aren't Ada-literate? Maybe this
> is where the first thrust should be...
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Chuck Shotton                 Internet:   cshotton@girch1.med.uth.tmc.edu

We teach Pascal as the core language because of its general availability.  It
is was not for Borland we'd probably still have $250 (randomly chosen high
price) as the low price for Pascal.  

Ada is not the language-of-choice at most universities for your reason too. 
But you can add - availability of compilers - choice of several great text
books - publisher assumptions about the desires of faculty - etc.
 
I also would suggest that DoD sponsor in-house workshops on Ada (perhaps in May
and June) to faculty in many departments at universities.  That includes MIS,
Computer Science, *** Engineering, Mathematics, etc.  This could also be
accomplished at a relatively low cost.  

George C. Harrison, Professor of Computer Science 
Norfolk State University,
2401 Corprew Avenue, Norfolk VA 23504
Internet:  g_harrison@vger.nsu.edu    Phone:  804-683-8654