Re: Ada student homework ?

[Lao Xiao Hai <laoxhai@ix.netcom.com>]

Marin David Condic wrote:

> Randy Brukardt wrote:
>
> > Well, that's the point of Claw: to allow people to develop for Windows
> > without needing to know C. (And, I'd expect that various other people
> > working on GUI tools would say the same.)
> >
>
>
> Maybe it would be productive to find a good book oriented towards
> programming with MSVC++ and using that as a model for writing a book on
> programming with CLAW? At least that way, you'd have a successful outline to
> start from and you'd just have to translate the topics into CLAW/Ada
> examples?

Relative to CLAW.    I have just about persuaded one of my graduate students
to do his thesis programming in Ada with CLAW.   This will be a substantitive
and hearty application, if he decides to go through with it.   Fortunately, this

student already has some solid experience with C++ and Windows, so his
difficulties with fundamentals of Windows programming should be minimal.

Meanwhile, many of my other students are enjoying the simplified Windows
programming environment, JEWL, created by John English.   This turns out
to be a really good set of tools for easing graduate students into Windows
programming with Ada while not requiring them to learn much about
Windows.   CLAW is for robust applications.   JEWL works well for
learners.     CLAW seems more appropriate for the power-student with
intentions of creating real software.   And it is really great that Randy was
able to eliminate any need for C++ in using CLAW.

All in all, the increased availability of these kinds of tools is making the job

of teaching students how to enjoy Ada much easier than it used to be.  We
have other students experimenting with JGNAT.    Ada is fun again!

Richard Riehle