Re: why? US Army Ada software converted to C++?

[Richard Riehle <richard@adaworks.com>]

"rob@NOTHERE" wrote:

> Air defense moving to C++ from Ada? are they crazy? with
> all the evidence that Ada is safer and more reliable than any C variation
> based language, who would make such a decision? Our tax payers money
> is being wasted here. What a waste. Is this supposed to make our defense
> software better?
>
> http://www.dice.com/DandL/l/lckmtncx.63005.html

There is no accounting for the depth of stupidity among those making
programming language decisions.   Unfortunately, this kind of thing
is more widespread than you might think.    On the positive side, some
better informed contractors continue to realize the benefits of Ada and
use it for new projects.

The reasons for abandoning Ada seldom have anything to do with its
technical superiority. Rather, those reasons given are usually related
to availability of tools and people.   Even now, with a lot of people
knowledgeable about Ada, and more tools than ever available, we
are plagued by the insufficiencies of the past.   In addition,  many in
the university computer science departments are failing to understand
their responsibilities toward industry.  They have adopted a kind of
snobbery that is impossible to overcome with reason.    I am fortunate
to have students who are required to take Ada, Java, and C++.
Many of those students realize the value of Ada even as their colleagues,
other professors, and superiors continue to view it with a disdain
rooted in ignorance.

Richard Riehle