Heretical thought

Heretical thought

[Scot Mcintosh]

Well, based upon my vast experience with Ada (two classes
spanning 6 months, a third soon to come, and lots of
toy programs written), a nascent hypothesis is beginning
to form. One thing I've noticed in the classes and in
talking to Ada programmers is that the mechanics of the
language itself are only part of what Ada programmers
concern themselves with. The process by which the code
is developed, following sound design policies (example:
avoid hybrid tasks), emphasing the readability of the
code - all of these (for lack of a better term)
"professionalism" things are inculcated from the very
first. The peer group effect during the initiation into
the Ada culture is pronounced enough that it was
immediately noticable.  I don't recall an equivalent
experience in my exposure to prior languages.

Here's the hypothesis: the Ada culture may instill a more
professional and painstaking attitude among Ada practitioners,
and this may be partly responsible for some of the advantages
(fewer bugs, more maintainable code, reduced development
time, etc.) that are reported and attributed to the language
itself.

Just an observation from a recent convert from C. I'd be
interested if any other Ada novices have had similar
experiences.


-- 
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Scot McIntosh
Internet: psm%helios.nosc.mil@nosc.mil
UUCP:     I have no idea