Re: Why should hackers love Ada. (Re: Ada 95 based RTOS)

[Gary <Gary.L.Scott@lmtas.lmco.com>]

"Marin D. Condic" wrote:

> Gary Scott wrote:
> > This is a good feature, but many other languages have similar features (some very old like Jovial and PL/1).
> > In other languages, my experience is that you simply define pack/unpack/scale routines and write the main
> > executive and high-level functionality in a high-level fashion (possibly OO) and simply invoke these low-level
> > "reformat" routines at the top and bottom of the frame (or as-required).  Then again, I'm also used to being
> > able to embed assembly to gain access to an interval timer or generate an interrupt right into the high-level
> > language code.
> >
> There are lots of languages that give you good control of the underlying
> representation of data and access to the hardware. Jovial was better
> than most in this respect. However, I think there is a difference
> between Ada and other languages in this respect. Ada tends towards
> encouraging encapsulation of the low-level features so that they exist
> in an isolated spot, whereas other languages treat access to low level
> features as the "normal" mode of writing code. For example, you mention
> embedded assembly. Ada will let you do that but you have to isolate it
> in a subprogram - you can't just stick assembler instructions anywhere
> you feel like.
>

This has quite a lot to do with programming style.  I can encapsulate/isolate "low-level" functions in almost any
language, but few languages restrict my choices.  I agree that encapsulation/isolation is a good thing in general
and I practice it for the most part, regardless of the language that I use (primarily for portability reasons).  I
prefer to have the freedom to make those types of decisions.  For some applications, it may be entirely appropriate
to generate an interrupt in a program main.

>
> MDC
> --
> =============================================================
> Marin David Condic   - Quadrus Corporation -   1.800.555.3393
> 1015-116 Atlantic Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
> http://www.quadruscorp.com/
> m c o n d i c @ q u a d r u s c o r p . c o m
>
> ***PLEASE REMOVE THE "-NOSPAM" PART OF MY RETURN ADDRESS***
>
> Visit my web site at:  http://www.mcondic.com/
>
> "Because that's where they keep the money."
>     --  Willie Sutton when asked why he robbed banks.
> =============================================================