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From: Scott Ingram` <scott@silver.jhuapl.edu>
Subject: Re: Top 10 Language Constructs (Ada)
Date: 2000/07/18
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Bill Brennan wrote:

> "Dr. Joachim Schr�er" wrote:
> >
> > Bill Brennan <william.c.brennan@lmco.com> schrieb in im Newsbeitrag:
> > >    type Plasma_Volts_Type is
> > >       delta  2#000.0_0000_0000_0001#     --  approx 0.00012207
> > >       range -2#100.0_0000_0000_0000# ..  --        -4
> > >              2#011.1_1111_1111_1111#;    --  approx 3.99987793
> > >
> > >    for Plasma_Volts_Type'Size use 16;
> > >
> >
> > What about this version:
> >
> > type Plasma_Volts_Type is delta 2.0**(-13) range -4.0 .. 4.0 - 2.0**(-13);
> > for Plasma_Volts_Type'Size use 16;
>
> While your version is more concise and arguably easier to read
> (all right, it *is* easier to read ;-)), I chose my representation,
> long-winded as it is, to demonstrate that the 'First and 'Last were
> chosen
> to be the most extreme values in the possible range of this 16-bit
> representation.
> In fact, I had to prove this to myself on paper first, by mapping out
> the bits,
> and just decided to transfer my notes to Ada.  If this information isn't
> particularly useful to demonstrate in the code, then the concise version
> wins for sure.
>
> Isn't it nice that we have the choice, and that both options convey the
> information with slightly differing emphasies?
> (Are there other interesting representations?)
>
> -- Bill Brennan

I found all three eminently readable...after looking at C and Perl all
day almost ANY Ada spangs into my consciouness without effort!

And having the options to write it in a way that makes sense to the
author while typically being readable...  As the only Ada user in my
shop, I find that my programmers have no trouble reading my proggies
even though none of know Ada.