Re: How difficult is ada to learn?

["Gene" <eugene.ressler@frontiernet.net>]

There are really two answers.  If you intend to structure programs as
in the other languages, then it's quite easy to shift sideways into Ada
syntax.  If you want to exploit Ada's full power, then you'll have to
figure out the Ada way to do things and learn the parts of the langauge
that are not found elsewhere---task types for example.  In that regard,
one of the best things about Ada is that the language designers put
their thinking in the rationale documents and then Cohen took the whole
art of explaining how to use a langauge to a new level.  There is so
much glop out there on the language-of-the-week that these two books
really stand out.

Most people who start with Borland Pascal miss the built-in set and
string data types. Ada gets the same effects with packages, but the
syntax is far less elegant and readable.  (disclaimer: I have no real
Modula2 experience)

GR