Re: Customer balks at Ada -- any hope?

[Kieran Mckey <kieran.mckey@baesystems.com>]

Larry Kilgallen wrote:

> I gather your argument is to use the controls on the Ada compiler
> to disable checking in the production version.  My understanding
> is that many embedded developers do that, but I think we should
> leave that decision up to the technical staff on a module-by-module
> basis, rather than restricting them from ever using checking by
> choosing a language that does not provide it.

It is true that often embedded developers do turn off run-time checks in
production code. I think this is an unwise practice. It can mean that
whether or not your code meets performance requirements is dependent on
compiler switches. You should design the system so that the code will
meet performance requirements regardless of whether run-time checks are
enabled or not. Furthermore, run-time checks are required for exception
handling which can provide valuable diagnostic data. IMO too many
developers regard the production version as the final version of the
code and expect it to be bug free, disabling run-time checks means that
finding the 'in service' bugs much more difficult. The code should be
viewed as a evolving product throughout its expected life.

Kieran Mckey