Re: Ada's Slide To Oblivion ...

[Steve O'Neill <oneils@gbr.msd.ray.com>]

Marin David Condic wrote:
> It would help Ada in the embedded world if there were more SBCs available
> with at least Ada as an option for compiler choice. If, for example, the SBC
> were to come with the gcc/Gnat compiler built so that developers could
> choose to use C, C++ or Ada & still have access to all the development
> tools, it might stand a chance. 

Yes, that would improve the situation immensely.  People might actually
consider
Ada is they were handed the tools along with the hardware.  Of course,
many of 
those folks would simply dismiss it out of hand but the more open-minded
folks 
might actually try it... and like it.

> But look at what ships with most SBC development kits: Some version of C or 
> maybe C++. 

Well.. how do we fix this?  Probably the first steps are to 1) assemble
the tools/
components necessary to support a family of SBCs and 2) convince the SBC
vendors to
'toss it in the box'.  To have any hope step #2 would have to be at
worst free to
the vendors.

> Never mind that if someone *really* wanted to use Ada, they could cobble 
> together a kit for themselves out of parts available from the Internet. 

Yes, but people usually 1) take the path of least effort and 2) use what
they are
already familiar with and/or already have in hand.

> Spending weeks or months getting a development environment together
> when one already comes with the kit is a waste of the stockholder's money.

Not to mention usually thankless work.

Just my $0.02 worth

Steve O'Neill