Re: KSLOC estimates Ada vs C++

[Marin David Condic <condicma@bogon.pwfl.com>]

Raymond Calande wrote:
> 
> Has anyone ever seen a reference in which a comparison is done that
> shows the relative size in KSLOC for Ada versus C++ for the equivalent
> program?
> TIA

After having been involved with software metrics for the last ten years,
I'd advise that this is a hopelessly meaningless comparison. Even
attempting to compare two programs written in the same language, but
solving different problems is difficult and loaded with land mines.

Obviously, there are going to be problems which are more easily and
naturally expressed in Ada which will take fewer slocs than an
equivalent C++ program. The converse also being true. If you are looking
for a metric on efficiency or cost or almost anything else, I'd suggest
trying something else.

It never hurts to create some benchmarks of applications that are
"typical" for your problem domain and seeing how a quality
implementation in either language fares. But you have to be careful that
you aren't misleading yourself or testing the effects of one specific
implementation. Its a sticky problem. It would be nice if we were
comparing blivet-stamping machines where there is going to be a clear
winner based on volume, but we never build the same thing twice so it's
a lot more complicated problem.

MDC
-- 
Marin David Condic
Real Time & Embedded Systems, Propulsion Systems Analysis
United Technologies, Pratt & Whitney, Large Military Engines
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