returning a value from tasking??

[Randy Kosarik <randyk@access.hky.com>]

Hi,

  I am having a problem getting a task to work and am running out of
time this semester.
  I am running DEC Ada version 8.2 on a VAX. 

  What I am trying to do is get a character within 3 seconds, if no
character was
inputted, I want either a null character returned or a space returned. I
was told from
a previous message that I would have to TASK to do this.

  I have TASK2 calling TASK1. TASK1 will not return a value to TASK2
unless I remove the
second to last line( DO_EXIT(STATUS); ) from TASK1. When I do this
though, it will not exit when 3 seconds have expired.

  I have been scouring through the books trying to figure this one out
but, the tasking concept seems to be above my head, right now.. I keep
doing trial and error.

 Please, I have 10 days to figure this out... Any replies would be
GREATLY appreciated!
 -Randy  

--------------------------start of
TASK2.ADA----------------------------------------
with text_io, task1;
use text_io;
procedure task2 is
  z : character;
  x : INTEGER;
begin
 loop
   task1(z => z);
   put_line(z & " brought from task1");
 exit  when x > 5;
 x := x + 1;
 end loop;
end task2;
--------------------------end of
TASK2.ADA------------------------------------------


--------------------------start of
TASK1.ADA----------------------------------------
with TEXT_IO;
use TEXT_IO;
procedure task1 (z : in out CHARACTER) is

--      pragma TIME_SLICE (1.0);
        type CONDITION is new INTEGER;
        STATUS : CONDITION;
--        Z:CHARACTER;
        task T;
        task body T is
        begin
          Get(Z);
        end;

        procedure DO_EXIT(STATUS        :out CONDITION;
                          EXIT_STATUS   :in CONDITION := 1);
        pragma INTERFACE(VMS, DO_EXIT);
        pragma IMPORT_VALUED_PROCEDURE(DO_EXIT,
        pragma IMPORT_VALUED_PROCEDURE(DO_EXIT,
                                        "SYS$EXIT",
                                        MECHANISM => (VALUE, VALUE));
  begin
  delay 3.0;
-- nothing done;
  DO_EXIT(STATUS);
end task1;
--------------------------end of
TASK1.ADA-----------------------------------------